A notorious individual, Josef Fritzl, has been denied parole following his release from a psychiatric facility. Despite his lawyer’s plea to transfer him to a care home due to his dementia diagnosis, the parole application was rejected. Fritzl expressed remorse for his past crimes in a court in Austria, but he was deemed too dangerous to be released, even considering his age and health condition.
The court in Graz, southeast Austria, emphasized that Fritzl still poses a threat, pointing out his intense review of documents detailing the suffering endured by his daughter during her 24-year captivity. Fritzl, now 90, was last seen outside prison walls in January 2024, as he frequented nearby cafes. The Landesgericht District Court near Krems an der Donau mandated that he continue therapy sessions to aid in his rehabilitation.
His lawyer, Dr. Astrid Wagner, affirmed that the parole denial was based on the perception of ongoing danger posed by Fritzl. She intends to challenge this decision, believing he could potentially be released the following year. Fritzl was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for imprisoning his daughter Elisabeth in their Amstetten home for over two decades, where she gave birth to seven of his children.
Despite Fritzl’s optimistic hopes for a grand reception upon release, his lawyer clarified that such expectations were unrealistic. Wagner emphasized that Fritzl regrets his actions daily, acknowledging the estrangement of his family and the absence of friends. Fritzl spends his days in confinement reading, watching TV, and occasionally expressing confusion about imaginary visits.
The attempt for Fritzl’s freedom, transitioning from a psychiatric unit to a regular prison, is likely to evoke strong reactions from his victims and family members. Wagner noted Fritzl’s desire to live independently near his former residence, although the practicality of this wish remains uncertain given his circumstances.