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An Austrian who locked his daughter in a basement for 24 years can be released – Observer

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Joseph Fritzl is one of the most notorious Austrian criminals in recent years. In 2008, he kidnapped his daughter and held her hostage for 24 years, during which time he was sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing her. If you have a favorable psychological assessment you can release now.

If the medical team concludes that Fritzl is no longer a danger to society, the Austrian can apply to leave early in 2024. According to The Telegraph.

Fritz has so far served time in a special unit for offenders with mental problems, so he was transferred to a regular prison earlier this year – where the opportunity arises to apply for a reduced sentence. The Office of the Prosecutor appealed against the decision and the Vienna Supreme Court ruled that a psychological assessment should be conducted to determine which institution should remain in Fritz.

If doctors believe Fritzl is “mentally healthy,” he may remain in prison and seek his release. However, the newspaper claims that Fritzl’s has “no chance” of having such an assessment because of the symptoms of dementia.

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Joseph Fritzal was sentenced to life in prison and has already served 15 years in prison. For 24 years, Fritz put his daughter, Elizabeth, in the basement of a family home in Amsterdam. He raped her regularly, and as a result of these sexual assaults Elizabeth even had seven children.

Authorities found one of the children in a coma and took him to an Austrian hospital. The medical team who were suspicious of the story reported the situation to the police, and the investigation into Elizabeth’s disappearance resumed, eventually finding out where the girl was.

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