Treat Polanski like anyone else

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger entered the furore over arrested film-maker Roman Polanski on Thursday, saying the Oscar-winning director was not above the law.

Former Hollywood actor Schwarzenegger said that while he remained an admirer of Polanski’s work, the 76-year-old should not receive special treatment in his three-decade-old child sex case.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Roman Polanski or anyone else,” Schwarzenegger told CNN. “It doesn’t matter if you are a big-time movie actor or a big-time movie director or producer.

“I think that he is a very respected person, and I am a big admirer of his work. But nevertheless, I think he should be treated like everyone else.”

Schwarzenegger said, however, that claims of judicial misconduct in the Polanski case should also be considered.

“One should look into all of the allegations, not only his allegations but the allegations about his case,” Schwarzenegger said. “Was there something done wrong? You know, was injustice done in the case?”

AFP