Protests erupt outside Paris film awards ceremony as filmmaker, charged with sexual assault, tops nominations; Polanski avoids event, fearing a 'public lynching'

Director, wanted in US over child rape in 1970s, to skip ceremony in which his film about anti-Semitic affair is the favorite, saying 'we know how this evening will unfold already'

Decision comes two weeks before award ceremony; director fugitive from US for 4 decades over rape conviction