Polish prosecutors have let director Roman Polanski walk free after questioning him over his sex crime conviction.

The reclusive Rosemary's Baby filmmaker fled America for Europe in 1978 before he could be sentenced for having unlawful sex with a minor, a charge to which he had pleaded guilty.

He was arrested and threatened with extradition back to the U.S. in Switzerland in 2009, but was eventually released, and in June (14), he asked Polish officials if he could film a movie in the country without the worry of legal action.

Polanski turned himself in for questioning by Polish prosecutors in Krakow and U.S. authorities asked for the 81 year old to be detained so he could be extradited.

However, staff at the district prosecutor's office announced on Thursday (30Oct14) that they have decided to release him.

Spokesman Mateusz Martyniuk says, "Roman Polanski stated that he is putting himself at the disposal of the prosecutor's office in this case, and gave his place of residence... In connection with this, the prosecutor deemed it not necessary to proceed with the arrest of Roman Polanski in relation to the possible request for his extradition."

He adds that this does not rule out a possible extradition and the director is "a free citizen and is free to travel" because the prosecutors have not yet received a formal request from the U.S.