LOS ANGELES, US - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger entered the furore over arrested film-maker Roman Polanski on Thursday, saying the Oscar-winning director was not above the law.

Former Hollywood actor Schwarzenegger said that while he remained an admirer of Polanski's work, the 76-year-old should not receive special treatment in his three-decade-old child sex case.

"It doesn't matter if it's Roman Polanski or anyone else," Schwarzenegger told CNN. "It doesn't matter if you are a big-time movie actor or a big-time movie director or producer.

"'I think that he is a very respected person, and I am a big admirer of his work. But nevertheless, I think he should be treated like everyone else."'

Schwarzenegger said, however, that claims of judicial misconduct in the Polanski case should also be considered.

"'One should look into all of the allegations, not only his allegations but the allegations about his case,"' Schwarzenegger said.

"'Was there something done wrong? You know, was injustice done in the case?"'

Polanski was detained in Switzerland on Saturday after US authorities issued an arrest warrant in connection with the 32-year-old sex case involving the director and a 13-year-old girl.

Polanski, who pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor after striking a deal with prosecutors, fled the United States in 1978 on the eve of his sentencing hearing.

His arrest brought an angry response from officials in France and Poland and was criticised in a petition signed by Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Penelope Cruz and other, mostly European, film-makers.

However, Schwarzenegger rejected suggestions that support for Polanski showed that the Hollywood establishment was "'out of touch"' with mainstream opinion.

"'I don't think it's as much out of touch. I think Hollywood has always been very liberal," Schwarzenegger said.

"I think that, you know, 40 years ago when I came to this country, they were very liberal, and they're still very liberal now. And you know, you may call it out of touch, but you know, that's just the way they think."

Meanwhile, suggestions that Polanski enjoys broad support across the movie industry were challenged Thursday.

Bo Zenga, a producer of comedies "Scary Movie" and "Turistas", questioned whether most people Hollywood were backing the director.

"I don't actually believe that people in Hollywood would put protecting their own above a 13-year-old girl who was raped," Zenga told the Los Angeles Times.

"I think these people have honestly forgotten what this is really about.

"It irritates me that people around the world think that all of Hollywood is saying that the rapist is the victim.

Because I don't feel that way, and neither do most of the people I talk with."