Court permits transfer of incest offender Fritzl.
Josef Fritzl, the notorious incest perpetrator who became infamously known as the "Monster of Amstetten," may soon be leaving the forensic psychiatric institution after 15 years. The Krems District Court has made a ruling that allows Fritzl, aged 89, to be transferred to a regular prison since he is no longer considered a danger to society.
His progressive dementia and physical deterioration have caused the underlying personality disorder that led to his hospitalization to be "buried," according to the court. However, this decision is not legally binding, and he still cannot be released from a normal prison to freedom due to special preventative reasons.
While Fritzl is now deemed not dangerous, it remains uncertain if he will commit more crimes in the future. As the prisoner who currently lives under a different name has displayed "unprecedented criminal energy" during the commission of his crimes, he may not be free of offense in the future, the court noted. In 1984, Fritzl locked his then 18-year-old daughter in a soundproofed cellar in the Austrian town of Amstetten. Over the next 24 years, he raped her thousands of times and fathered seven children with her. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2009 for charges that included murder by omission, rape, deprivation of liberty, aggravated coercion, slavery, and blood libel. If either the defense or the public prosecutor disputes this ruling, the Vienna Higher Regional Court will determine the further course of action.
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- Despite the court's decision, international human rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential risk of further crimes and called for the Austrian justice system to ensure strict monitoring of Fritzl's imprisonment.
- The transfer of Fritzl to a regular prison sparked debate within the Austrian political sphere, with some advocating for a review of Austria's criminal justice system to prevent similar instances of incest and kidnapping.
- Internationally, the case of Fritzl has shed light on the complex interplay between crime, justice, and societal taboos, with experts discussing the need for more comprehensive strategies to address and prevent such heinous acts.
Source: www.ntv.de
