Trip to Switzerland? Trapped in Switzerland!

The world-renowned director, Roman Polanski, has been arrested by the Swiss authority when he tried to enter Switzerland to receive the Lifetime Achievement Awards at Zurich Film Festival. He will be extradited to the United States where he was charged of unlawful sexual intercourse with an underage girl.

Oh dear. He could've made a movie about himself which could easily win Oscar Best Picture. Though the sex law in the United States is extremely harsh, Polanski did commit a serious crime in 1977 (more serious than it sounds because its current charge is part of a plea deal). Actually raping a 13-year-old girl is more accurate. But the way of arresting him is very interesting.

Knowing he could be extradited back by any country who has the treaty with US, he has been cautious for the past thirty years, restricting his traveling in very few countries. He canceled several trips for fear of being arrested. But this time, facing an option of getting a lifetime honor, he wasn't so careful. Probably he thinks the US government is forgetful or forgiving. It turns out to be neither.

Clearly the arrest has been planned for a very long time. A provisional warrant has been issued to the Swiss authorities beforehand. The determination to implement laws is certainly applaudable, but trapping an extremely famous celebrity by sneaking would not be that popular after all.