Interpol had 'red notice' on Polanski for years

American prosecutors today disputed a claim by Roman Polanski that they had never tried to arrest him after he fled overseas 31 years ago to escape sentencing for having sex with an underage girl.

The Los Angeles County district attorney's office said it had made multiple contacts with several countries in efforts to seize the Academy Award-winning film-maker. Prosecutors released a list of their efforts since 1978 that included requesting arrest warrants in England, Thailand, France and Israel.

Polanski was held in Switzerland on Saturday, causing an outcry from prominent European supporters. The arrest also prompted questions about why US authorities chose to act now, even though Polanski had been living and working in Europe for decades.Polanski today said he was determined to fight his detention in Switzerland and extradition to the US. His lawyer Herve Temime said the director was "in fighting mood" and he would seek his release "without delay". He added that the 76-year-old was "shocked and dumbfounded" by his arrest.

Chief Inspector Thomas Hession of the US Marshals Service said the director has been the subject of an Interpol "red notice" for years. He said Polanski's arrest came now because authorities had the advance knowledge and the opportunity.

Polanski's agent Jeff Berg said he was aware of no efforts to arrest Polanski, who has been shooting The Ghost in Germany for the past six months, before Saturday. The director admitted unlawful sexual intercourse in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.