Kathrine Frich
Age and illness do not change the gravity of Josef Fritzl’s crimes.
That is now clear after an Austrian court once again rejected the release of the now 90 year old man serving a life sentence, who for more than two decades kept his own daughter captive in the family basement in Amstetten.
Although Fritzl’s defence requested that he be transferred to a dementia care institution, arguing that medical assessments show he suffers from advanced dementia, he is still considered to pose a potential danger. This is reported by Sosialnytt.
Aggression and delusions outweigh age
After 15 years in psychiatric detention, Fritzl was transferred in 2024 to a regular prison unit.
This opened the possibility of applying for parole. Defence lawyer Astrid Wagner believes the rejection is wrong and told Austrian media:
“In my view, the reasoning is insufficient. I will therefore appeal the decision.”
However, the judges at the regional court in Krems placed weight on the fact that there are still signs of aggressive behaviour and delusional thinking, particularly directed toward family members.
That assessment proved decisive for the court’s ruling.
A case that still casts long shadows
The Josef Fritzl case shocked all of Europe when it was uncovered in 2008.
Authorities discovered a hidden basement complex where his daughter Elisabeth had been imprisoned since she was 18 years old.
Three children grew up with her in captivity, while three others were raised upstairs in the house without knowing the truth.
The seventh child died shortly after birth.
The court has now sent a clear signal. Certain crimes are so serious that neither age nor illness can alter their consequences.
Josef Fritzl remains behind bars.
