Schwarzenegger 'denies Polanski pardon'

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has reportedly refused disgraced director Roman Polanski a pardon.

The 76-year-old was taken into custody earlier this week in Switzerland, stemming from a 1978 US warrant issued after he plead guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl. He subsequently fled to France and has not been able to return to the US.

Schwarzenegger said that although he admires the Rosemary's Baby filmmaker's work, he will not grant Polanski clemency should he return to the US, People reports.

"It doesn't matter if you are a big-time movie actor or a big-time movie director or producer," he told CNN programme Situation Room. "I think that he is a very respected person, and I am a big admirer of his work."

He added: "But nevertheless, I think he should be treated like everyone else. One should look into all of the allegations, not only his allegations but the allegations about his case. Was there something done wrong? You know, was injustice done in the case?"

The French government earlier retracted a statement publicly supporting the controversial helmer.