BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Outcry over Polanski's detention

Filmmakers throughout the world protest the idea that they could be subject to the laws of mere mortal men.

"We're calling on every film-maker we can to help fix this terrible situation," Harvey Weinstein said.

Daily paper Le Temps said Switzerland had "shocked film buffs and friends of the arts with its kindly and efficient co-operation with justice," which clearly should not apply to people with artistic talent.

New detail: "There had been two previous attempts to arrest Mr Polanski when he planned visits to countries that have extradition agreements with the US, but each time he apparently learned of the plans and did not travel."