Polanski denied bail over "flight risk"

Roman Polanski has reportedly been denied bail for a further time by Swiss authorities because of ongoing fears that he may flee the country.

The 76-year-old was attending a film festival in Zurich when he was arrested last month in relation to a 1977 US conviction for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl.

The filmmaker fled to France before he could be sentenced and is now fighting extradition to the US.

Ministry spokesman Folco Galli told The AP that a "high bail" offer received earlier this week did not allay fears that Polanski may flee. "We still consider the flight risk as high," he said.

An earlier application for bail was denied on the same grounds.