ZURICH Nov 26, (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - The Swiss authorities said on Thursday they would not contest Roman Polanski's release on bail while the film director fights extradition to face US sentencing over a 1970s case of sex with a minor.

The Justice Department said in a statement it had decided not to appeal against a decision by the Swiss Federal Criminal Court on Wednesday granting Polanski's request for release and would free him as soon as he posted bail.

"Polanski will be released from custody as soon as bail has been transferred, ID and travel documents have been lodged, and the electronic monitoring system has been installed and tested," it said.

The Swiss Federal Criminal Court ruled on Wednesday the Oscar-winning film director could be released against the payment of bail of 4.5 million Swiss francs ($4.49 million) but kept under house arrest at his chalet in the resort of Gstaad.

bdnews24.com/lq/2135h.