Josef Fritzl, the Austrian man who infamously imprisoned and abused his daughter for 24 years, fathering seven children with her, has been granted release from prison to a nursing home.
His lawyer, Astrid Wagner, revealed that the decision was made on the basis of Fritzl’s advanced age and deteriorating mental health, particularly his dementia.
He could now be moved to a nursing home, marking his first release from custody in 15 years.
Austrian psychiatrist Heidi Kastner, who previously described Fritzl as “extremely psychologically abnormal” and “emotionally illiterate,” has now claimed in a 28-page report that he is no longer dangerous.
She noted his physical frailty, dementia, and the need for a walking frame to move about.
Wagner, who has visited Fritzl in prison numerous times, has also expressed confidence in his potential for release, stating that he no longer possesses a sex drive.
The decision to release Fritzl has sparked mixed reactions, given the severity of his crimes.
The 88-year-old, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for the heinous crimes of rape, incest, and imprisonment, has been seeking early release due to his age and declining mental faculties.
During the hearing, Fritzl, visibly emotional, expressed regret for his actions and was said to be close to tears.
Wagner confirmed that the court concluded that Fritzl is no longer considered dangerous, and she has applied for his conditional discharge.
The case came to light in 2008 when Fritzl’s daughter, Elisabeth, managed to communicate her captivity to the authorities.
She revealed that she had been held underground for 24 years, starting at the age of 18, and had been subjected to abuse since the age of 11. Fritzl had lured her into a purpose-built cellar, falsely informing his wife and acquaintances that she had joined a cult.
