Denied: Roman Polanski will remain in prison

(NECN/ABC) – One of the world’s best known movie directors is under arrest overseas, finally taken into custody on a warrant first issued in 1978. Roman Polanski, the Academy-Award winning movie director, is behind bars. He was arrested Saturday at Zurich Airport in Switzerland and now faces possible extradition to the United States on charges that date back more than three decades. Roman Polanski lost his first bid to win his freedom Tuesday as the Swiss Justice Ministry rejected an appeal by the 76-year-old to be immediately released from prison, an official said. In 1977, Polanski was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl during a photo shoot. The girl claimed he gave her alcohol and drugs and then, despite protests, sexually assaulted her. At the time, Polanski, cut a deal and pleaded guilty to one of six charges. He spent just 42 days in prison. He then fled to France. Now, the victim says she wants charges against Polanski dropped. He paid her a settlement. She believes he is sorry. ABC’s Nick Watt reports.