Josef Fritzl spotted outside prison as basement beast makes parole bid | World News
Josef Fritzl, who held his daughter captive for 24 years and repeatedly raped her, has been pictured outside of prison for the first time in 15 years.
He was sentenced to life in jail in 2009 after he kidnapped and raped his daughter Elisabeth, fathering seven children with her in what is seen as one of the most heinous crimes to have been committed in the country.
He was convicted of incest, rape, coercion, false imprisonment, enslavement and for the negligent homicide of one of his infant sons.
But the court will rule today whether Fritzl should be transferred to a regular prison after being housed in a jail for the mentally ill.
Fritzl, who has repeatedly asked to be released, suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and is said to need a walking frame to get around.
He will also become eligible for parole in March after serving 15 years behind bars.
Adelheid Kastner, one of Austria’s most prominent psychiatrists, said Fritzl is no longer a threat to society as he is incapable of carrying out any crimes.
Fritzl changed his name to Mayrhoff in an attempt to evade any attacks from his fellow inmates.
It was reported yesterday he was spotted at local coffee shops near his prison in Krems an der Donau.
Being allowed outside of prison for short trips is often the first step to get a long-term prisoner acclimatized back into society.
His lawyer, Astrid Wagner, who published a book last year based on letters he’s written, said he could potentially be moved to a care home.
She added: ‘I personally see a chance for release. He fulfills all the criteria.
‘This man is almost 90 years old and his mental condition is deteriorating. He is in need of support and care.’
During her 24 years in the basement, Elisabeth gave birth to seven children, three of which were held captive with her.
One baby, called Michael, died shortly after he was born after Fritzl failed to get him medical help.
Their other children, Lisa, Monika, and Alexander, then 16, 14 and 12, were brought up by Fritzl and his wife after he claimed they had turned up on their doorstep.
Fritzl also told his wife, Rosemarie, and the police that Elisabeth had joined a cult – even forcing her to write letters from far away towns.
He would go on long trips to places like Thailand, leaving his victims to deal with rotting food, power cuts and overflowing sewage.
It was only after a trip to hospital that Elisabeth was able to escape.
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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