Swiss justice minister: 'No reason' to appeal Roman Polanski's bail

GENEVA -- The Swiss justice minister says she sees "no reason" to appeal Roman Polanski's release under house arrest and electronic monitoring in exchange for $4.5 million in bail.

Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf's comments Wednesday came after a surprise decision by the Swiss Criminal Court to grant bail to Polanski. The comments indicate the 76-year-old film director could be freed in the coming days.

The verdict does not affect the Swiss Justice Ministry's ongoing assessment of whether Polanski should be extradited to the United States for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.

Polanski was arrested Sept. 26 as he arrived in Zurich to receive an award at a film festival.