Director Roman Polanski, still contesting his charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, has been released on bail. The price for the release of the fugitive film-maker was $4.5m (approximately £2.7m). Polanski, 76, will be moved from jail in Zurich to his Alpine chalet, where he will be under house arrest.

Switzerland's justice ministry, having previously denied bail, emphasised that the process would be a slow and discreet one. The director of Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown, whose cause has won a lot of support from fellow creatives in the industry, will be fitted with an electronic monitoring bracelet.

After being arrested in September on his way to collect a lifetime achievement award, Polanski has been held in a Swiss prison, awaiting possible extradition after fleeing his 30 year old charges. They included raping a 13 year old girl by use of drugs and sodomy. These were later dropped for the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse following a guilty plea. Polanski fled the US in 1978 on the day of his sentencing. He has avoided capture since.

The decision on his appeal will be announced in the next few weeks. His sister-in-law Mathilde Seigner told Le Parisien she was "very happy and relieved". She added: "[After his release] we're going to drink a nice glass of champagne and toast together". How they'll fit the toast inside the glass is another matter.