By April MacIntyre Oct 2, 2009, 15:47 GMT
The rape case of Roman Polanski and the decision to arrest and extradite the director for his thirty year-old crime, back to California from his European refuge, has divided many people in opinion.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that Polanski will see equal treatment under the law for his 1977 sex crime. EPA/PAUL BUCK
The Oscar winning director fled the USA after his conviction in 1978 to France.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told CNN's reporter Wolf Blitzer that Polanski will see equal treatment under the law for his 1977 sex crime.
CNN's Wolf Blitzer October 1 interview featured the Governor of California, who said, "I would not treat his situation any differently than everyone else's."
The excerpted transcript from Blitzer's on air interview with Schwarzenegger:
BLITZER: In the Roman Polanski, some liberal movie stars feel one way, prominent officials another. But what does a movie star who became a governor think?
Where do you stand on the Roman Polanski uproar?
SCHWARZENEGGER: Well, I think that it doesn't matter if it's Roman Polanski or anyone else. I think that those things should be treated like everyone else. It doesn't matter if you are a big-time movie actor and -- 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. And one should look into all of the allegations, not only his allegations, but allegations about his case.
Was there something done wrong? You know, was an injustice done in the case and all this? I want you to look into all this, and I think that it should be treated like everyone else's case.
BLITZER: Is Hollywood out of touch with mainstream America when it comes to a case like Roman Polanski's?
SCHWARZENEGGER: I don't think it's as much out of touch. I think Hollywood has always been very liberal.
I think that, you know, 40 years ago, when I came to this country, they were very liberal. And they're still very liberal now. And, you know, you may call it out of touch, but, you know, that's just the way they think. They just think differently about all of this.
BLITZER: If he comes back to California and goes through the legal process, would a pardon by the governor of California -- you, for example -- is that something you might consider?
SCHWARZENEGGER: Well, again, there is -- I get all the time requests for pardons. So, for, you know, all of this, I will not treat his situation any differently than anyone's else's.
I think that we're looking at everything, at every request and in an independent way, but it shouldn't be treated differently.
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