Sex
assault conviction | Psychological
damage | Graphic:
house of horrors | Health
implications | Blog
reaction | Alpha
Mummy: Is there one small hope? | Factfile
| Why
are child abuse scandals happening in Austria?
The blue and yellow tourist board posters are supposed to conjure up a
charming Sound of Music idyll:
“Austria — holiday with friends!” or “Austria — countryside with passion”.
It is a country, in short, that prides itself on its mountain air and
sunshine, not the musty smell of a windowless home-made dungeon.
But we should save our pity for the 18-year-old youth and his two siblings
found in the cellar at the weekend, who had never been to school, never seen
daylight and never drank in the mountain air. The three F children, aged
between 5 and 19, were trapped in the home by a tyrannical man who was both
their father and their grandfather.
The two teenagers have not only been robbed of their childhood by a crime so
macabre that it is being described as the crime of the century, but, with
their younger brother, have been let down by the Austrian state.
Austria is — as is clear from the appalling F family saga, from the case of
the “girl in the cellar” Natascha Kampusch and from the 1996 case of Maria
K, who was locked in a coffin-like wooden chest — a “look-away” society.
Perhaps the travel posters tell part of the story. It is in the nature of
Alpine geography that some villages are sunny, while elsewhere in the valley
there are communities that grow up in the shadow of the mountains. These
places are invariably cold and cheerless; young people leave and tourism
trickles away.
Only this time the darkness envelops a small town fringed by orchards and
vineyards in Lower Austria.
It is here that three children, abused and born of an incestuous relationship,
went to school and were treated as future upstanding Austrian citizens.
Their three siblings and their mother appeared to vanish from the face of
the Earth.
What society would accept the probability of three children being left on the
doorstep of Josef F over a decade and grant him adoption rights without
inquiring after the location of the mother? Perhaps only a cosy, incurious
community concerned with Schein nicht Sein, or “appearance, not reality”.
“How is it possible that nobody heard or saw anything, that nobody asked
questions?” asked Petra Stuiber, columnist of Der Standard in Vienna.
“What does this say about neighbours and the extended family, acquaintances
and above all civil servants dealing with the family?
“A whole country,” she reflects, “has to ask itself what is going
fundamentally wrong.”
Colonel Franz Polzer, head of the police investigation team, is also puzzled.
Over decades Mr F acquired food and baby clothes for people who did not
officially exist. Why did no one notice?
Still, the detective was right to brush off a suggestion yesterday that the F
tragedy was a specifically an Austrian crime. After all, Marc Dutroux, a
Belgian, held schoolgirls captive in his cellar and abused them. Germany has
had its cannibal and countless cases of infanticide. There is no monopoly on
cruelty.
But Austria is a society that nurtures its secrets, that suppresses its
history, that blocks out uncomfortable biographies.
There is a consensus mentality, an aversion — as the sociologist Ralf
Dahrendorf once said of the Germans — to open conflict, that has reached
almost neurotic proportions.
It locks out whistle-blowers and malcontents as surely as Mr F locked up his
daughter and children/grandchildren. Perhaps there is something Habsburgian
about this; an echo, too, of Sigmund Freud’s Vienna.
The tone politically was set in the 1920s by the feuding Austro-Marxists,
national and Christian socialists, and then in the 1930s by the sense of
relief — enthusiasm even — felt by many Austrians when Nazi Germany
incorporated Austria into the Third Reich. The ignoble fact is that 40 per
cent of the staff and three quarters of the commandants of concentration
camps were of Austrian origin. It was Austrians largely who organised the
deportation of the Jews: 80 per cent of the staff of Adolf Eichmann, the
logistics planner of the Holocaust, were from Austria.
After the war many Nazis were swallowed up into democratic party structure.
Heinrich Gross, who supervised experiments on child euthanasia victims,
joined the Nazi party in 1932, the post-war Social Democrats in 1950 and for
decades had a seamless career as a neurologist and expert witness in
hundreds of court cases. Far longer than in Germany, Waffen SS veterans met
to chat about old times. The central question for post-war Germans has been:
how many facts do I need to know about my father to know myself? It is a
good question, rarely posed in Austria.
It would be wrong, of course, to see a Nazi lurking behind every floral
patterned sofa in provincial Austria. But a cod psychologist might draw the
conclusion that 73-year-old Mr F, whose early childhood was spent in Nazi
Austria, came to accept certain patterns of behaviour.
His daughter was perhaps seen as wayward, in need of discipline. He devised
the ultimate punishment — the impossibility of escape.
Whatever the truth in the Amstetten house, it is the interlocking circles of
secrecy that make Austria special in the way that it deals with, or ignores,
individual tragedies.
The power networks are closer, more intense, spread over generations and
professions. Sometimes they mask corruption, more often they mask
inefficiency.
This month a tabloid newspaper, Heute, released intimate details about the sex
life of the kidnap victim Natascha Kampusch — quoting directly from
confidential police transcripts. One article even ransacked the transcript
of a conversation between Ms Kampusch and her doctor, unthinkable even in
the more robust Anglo-American school of journalism. The leak seemed to come
from a parliamentary committee.
The subsequent arguments have been revealing. One conservative politician
blames a colleague from the Green Party, declaring that “giving him secrets
is like putting sausages in front of a dog”. His outrage was not so much
about the betrayal of medical information as the surrendering of secrets
that form part of the membership of the political caste.
Every Austrian town has its hierarchies and codes. Did leaving Mr F in peace
form part of this code of discretion? It is difficult to believe that he
acted without the knowledge of others. Either way, his crime was made
possible by a society that is inclined to look away rather than experience
discomfort.
What I would like to know is, where was your God when all of this was going on? Obviously not just this incident, but all of the other unspeakable horrors that are perpetrated against the innocent throughout time. I would be ashamed to worship such a God.
Nancy, Atlanta, USA
You know, I found this piece after reading about the abuses in Austria and I typed into the search enging, "What is wrong with Austria?" I guess I'm not the only one to wonder.
Liz, USA, USA
This story has captivatied me with the terror of it's implications.Fear of confronting a tyrant is real, but love should have conquered this fear, especially knowing that the law would be on your side. Why did Austrian oficials allow a convicted sex offender adopt those babies anyway?
Kris , Minneapolis, Minnesota
I am Austrian but have lived for some time in the UK, Spain and right now I live in the USA. Talking about stereotypes I would like to bring up the hooliganphenomenon in the UK or the Texan polygamist sect. Latter even being justified as "religous freedom". And you dare to call us a sick society? LO
Christoph, Bethel, USA
Everyone who says Mrs F must have known something has been very fortunate never to have lived with a tyranical man whom one is not allowed to question & has double standards, one for himself - where he moves around freely without question, another standard 4 the rest of the family who live his law
Sue, natal, south africa
Very disturbing. We all live busy lives and try to mind our own business. It is really hard to know what is going on with your neighbours, most people barely have time to balance there own lives, yet connect with ones neighbours. I live in a very populated inner city area, Neighbours rarely connect.
Elise Brown, Melbourne, Australia
Caroline Harris, Aberdeen,
Never said they were! But a there is a body of thought that reactive behaviour can be genetically influenced.
Lucy Atkinson, Granville, France
This article is a bit ridiculous. I am not Austrian nor have I ever been. I plan on visiting Vienna this summer. While there should be serious reforms that Austria needs to make in response to this horrible crime, to say that this reflects ON AN ENTIRE COUNTRY is a bit far-fetched. And irresponsible
D, Nairobi,
I lived in Austria for a year, there is a strong feeling that you should keep to yourself and don't ask questions. If you see something strange, look the other way, I think as the article stated it could be from their tragic history. This is horrific and may have been prevented by asking questions
Tara, Spokane, WA, USA
There's a glass house and stones syndrome here. Our Fred West was a little local difficulty, your Josef Fritzl is an indictment of your whole society. Fritzels can pop up anywhere anytime.
Kevin Straw, Leicester,
Crime rates may be low in Austria but suppression factors are very high. I lived in various countries, the UK is horrific too. Crime is very high to include brutal and strange murders. No one in the UK should point fingers. The UK crime, suffering and torment factors are absolutely excessive.
Tim , Trebizzarre, World
Lucy Atkinson, Granville - Genes are not subject to ideology!
I can only imagine that Fritzl was the most terrifying monster to his family, both above and below ground. Maybe they really daren't cross him as they DID have some understanding of what he was capable of?!
Caroline Harris, Aberdeen, UK
Planned out, detailed, and fufilled. Not insane! I pray that Austria doesnt let him off that easy! Elizabeth and the kids are in my prayers and on my mind a great deal. I wish them all the best and pray they can get the help they need to Live....really live...for the first time! God bless you!
jody killam, great falls, USA
No words can describe such a heinous crime. No amount of sympathy can make up for the sufferrings that Elizabeth and her children had gone through. Only by God's grace can this family overcome its past.
May God be with them all.
Nora, Malaysia
Nora PY Wu, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Instead of the individual, Austrian society should encourage strong family bonds. Family is everything. A strong bond with each other would have protected each member. Austrian's should try it. Why don't they open the cellars in every home in Austria and see what else they find out?
Matt_Aiah, Manila, Philippines
Why did she not tried to hurt him?
Bibi, Miami, USA
How was laundry managed in the cellar. Was there a washing machine and a drier?
What clothes and bedlinen did they have ?
Were there any books ? Could the older children read and write ? What learning possibilities?
What boardgames, balls, toys did they have? How did they spend their time?
Norma, London,
Almost all the Austrian talkbacks jump to the defence of their system rather than discuss its glaring incompetency. Their attitudes besides being immature and provincial, highlight them exactly in the frame that they wish to escape from, as those who don't hear, don't see, and certainly don't know.
Ronni, NYC,
I have bee to Austria several times, and when comparing the country to others, I find some differences.
People don't seem to be interested in new people, the way it is in Paris as well. Again, have you ever met a travelling Austrian? They were very confined to their own surroundings and life.
Timo, Tampere, Finland
My prayers are with the victims. All was a really suprise and a shock for me. Elizabeth and kids I am with you and God bless you and your kids.
Marcela Leal Olmedo, Tabasco, Mexico
definitely nazis influence
his whole attitude shows it
I'm not amazed that a country like Austria protectc women and children so little
Austria has been after all, the Heart of Nazis...
This monster is ot ill..by far not
everything he's done..his past..his whole life proves PRMEDITATION
mariela, vienna , austria
It's not at all fair to blame this horrific crime on the Austrian nation! Did anyone blame the entire Saudi nation for 9-11? No.
This crime is unimaginably horrific because of the taboos which have been breached and the scale of the cruelty - not where the crimes have occurred.
Ruth, Nottingham, United Kingdom
I don't think that this man did what he did due to the influence of Nazi culture on his early childhood. He did what he did because he's mentally ill. Period. He doesn't have the capacity for empathy and uses other human beings for his perversions. Both trademarks of psychopaths.
Sarah, Paris, France
A polite & discreet society ignores, then denies, evil in its midst order to preserve the order they wish to achieve, just as bigotry & persecution of the "other" helps them to protect the "ideal". Holocaust denial is a reminder of the denial of evidence at the time that enabled evil to flourish.
Patricia Jing, Bakersfield, USA
Kids food and clothing can't have looked very suspicious in the hands of a "granfather" of three. The real question is, how could Austrian authorities swallow this incredible story of an invisible runaway daughter regularly dropping babies on her dad' s doormat?
Valeria Lettera, Rome, Italy
I find this accusation of "Austria looking away" very harsh and unfair. Besides the fact that there are many more of these terrible things happening worldwide, USING this to openly insulting the social system of a country is a ridiculous and insolent thing to do.
Paula, Vienna, Austria
I am asking myself what the British people said about the case of Fred and Rose West. Did they blame it on their entire society? These blanket accusations against Austria are foolish, if not outright slurs.
George, Vienna, Austria
" Quite honestly,we don't understand why British media is so obsessed with Nazis, I've never seen more films of Hitler than on BBC"
I don't know, maybe it's because the Nazis bomb the crap out of the UK? But in any case, name a country whose media isn't bias.
Winnie, Hong Kong, China
i have never been to Austria on vacation, i have just driven through it.
The comments about a secretive nation full of nazi sympathisers makes me think that this is the kind of place i never want to visit.
i can't help thinking about the Texas Chainsaw Macacre or Flowers in the Attic. Bizarre.
Michelle, Dublin, Ireland
It saddeness me to know a lady and her children were subjected to such horrific life. I feel for the entire family.
I have worked with and known Austrian people and I have found them to be warm and caring human beings.
This could happen anywhere or could still be happening anywhere.
K, Bielefeld,
Living in Austria, I have noted the indifference, secretiveness, & a level of individualism, I've never seen anywhere else! It is a secretive society, even the state, burying it's head like the proverbial ostrich, mainly due to guilt of their Nazi past. There's still lots of low-key racism too.
George, Linz, Austria
i live in manchester, i am really disappointed about this comment, your arrogance and superficiality is just deplorable and the nazi comparison is not just far-fetched but ridiculous (take a look at racism taking place across europe, the UK included ), you don't show any respect for the victims.
Rene, Manchester, UK
This case is replete with bureaucratic negligence. To immediately assert that there appears to be no indication at all that the wife of Fritzl had knowledge of the events is reprehensible and ignorant. In 24 years social workers and family members never followed up on the location of missing daughte
Fred, Jacksonville, Florida
Kudos to the doctor who had the logical sense to question Mr. F's reasoning to notify police. How could the rest of Austrian society not care to notice?! 24 years of living in a dungeon without anyone knowing is incomprehensible! My heart goes out to Elizabeth and her kids.
Denise, Singapore,
The connection between a country and its past is plausible, but ultimately unconvincing -- not to mention discriminatory and totally unfair.
Mr. F gave way too many clues. The immediate community's 'obliviousness' is just mind-boggling.
Troen Gonzales, Cebu, Philippines
Excuse me if I got something wrong, but how in the world can a respected newspaper like the Times insinuate that all Austrians are a bunch of non-caring people who tolerate crimes like these? Are you serious?!
I'd never accuse a whole nation for something a few people did. Don't be so shallow-minded
J., Graz, Austria
"The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustratesthe ways of the wicked." Psalms 146:9
Maria Woo, Indonesia
Maria woo, Pontianak, Indonesia
What kind of society is it that produces monsters like Fritzl? What kind of society is it that produces monsters that murder 40 teenagers in 18 months on the streets of London?
Richard Woolley, London, UK
What goes on in the mind of Mr Fritzl as he commits his crimes - not once, but multiple times as over 25 years? The evidence of his crimes - the children - are there to remind him everyday, what happened to his conscience? Where did he draw the line between good and evil?
Liz, KL, Malaysia
The claim of a nazi connection is predictable but wrong. Predictable because British papers appear to be unable to write about Austria without engaging in a long rant about nazism. Wrong because this was the crime of a lone, cunning psychopath. Do you know what your neighbor has in his cellar?
George, Vienna, Austria
What excuses he gave his wife for his time spent in the cellar?More then 10 minutes at a time I bet. When Elizabeth had her children, if he was there, how did he know when to go down stairs? I believe Mrs F "chose" to not know.
Barb, BC, Canada
NO one has yet mentioned how she gave birth. there must have been midwives. that is why it is impossible that he acted alone, but yes he could have intimidated and threataned those around him. I say it is time to unmask this attitude of secrecy. Austria has to change with the rest of the world.
Dana Negev, Santa Fe, USA
This is a tragic event. Unfortunatelly the most damaged will be those poors inocent kids. Hopefully they will get the help they need from experts, doctors and counsellors to improve their lives. Lets not forget their mother who has been a victim of a cruel monster since she was born.
Jacqueline Kaye, Brisbane, Australia
If this evill man drugged his daughter, jailed her & committed immoral atrocities for 24 years, even 7 years before that;
He probably drugged his wife and Elizabeth's older brothers & sisters too, so they "noticed nothing" for the 30 + years. They didn't go looking for her, didn't get curious...
rita, phoenix, usa
comparing vienna with austria, is like comparing new york city
to some provincial backwater in kansas. and we all know
what kind of crimes can happen in remote and secluded
villages, especially when the culprit is socially adapt or
has an aura of authority about him. well, polarizing gives views no?
giovanni trasimeno, vienna, austria
There is an old African saying "It takes a village to raise a child". If there is one thing this horrific crime should teach us it is that we all have responsiblity to ensure that the children in our community are safeguarded. We should not be afraid to ask questions and where necessary act.
Jen, Bristol, UK
Let us not pretend that similar horror stories are not probably happening right now in all of our supposedly Western civilized countries. This is only the tip of the iceberg. The Austrians do not have a monopoly on the loony tunes crowd.
Jon Maynard, Lansing MI, USA
For Austria to absolve itself and improve its image, it must take clearly visible efforts to inspect all cellars to ascertain that no unfortunate victims of abduction and imprisonment are left in some domestic dungeon. After all, no one imagined that we could get to this after the Natasha incident.
Rodger Obubo, Huissen, Netherlands
This crime is despicable, and cannot imagine the horror that the daughter had to endure at the hands of a maniac father.
He should receive a severe punishment. He should be in a dungeon for the rest of his life. I do not believe the story of Mrs F. Hopefully, no woman could be that naive.
Mimi K, Duluth , United States
The investigations in this case have been - even for laymen - full of shortcomings, open questions and hidden parts. Franz Polzer's and Hans-Heinz Lenze's representation of the case has been irresponsible, naive and provincial. A complete disrepute for Austrian authorities.
Christian, Vienna, Austria
The investigations in this case have been - even for laymen - full of shortcomings, open questions and hidden parts. Franz Polzer's and Hans-Heinz Lenze's representation of the case has been irresponsible, naive and provincial. A complete disrepute for Austrian authorities.
Christian, Vienna, Austria
.....to read this and to see all the international press there, looking for ....what? they would pay millions for pictures! thats let me say also a scandal and shows the true faces of journalism.
such things are very terrible, but they happen, and everywhere.
Now many people know, there is Austria.
Richerl, Wien, AUT
I doubt Mrs.Fs ignorance. She knew she was married to a convicted rapist who also had holidays without her in Thailand? And when Elisabeth vanished and 3 babies arrived and when they grew up didnt a look at their faces enlighten her? Plus the fact that no one was ever allowed near the new cellar?
Asta, Hamburg, Germany
I find it quiet amusing if people that moved from some foreign country to Vienna insist that Austrians are "A place where people keep themselves to themselves." or whatever. You know, Vienna doesn't really compare to the rest of Austria. And for that I bet it goes the same for London, Paris ...
Thomas Gamauf, Vienn and Burgenland, Austria
The Nazi comparison was very predictable and yet seems far-fetched to me. If you talk about a society that doesn't know it's neighbors - I really ask everyone (especially from a city, it sure is different on the country side): How much do you know about your neighbor?
Lorenz, Vienna, Austria
"A racial gene-pool that embraced or endured Nazism". Now that is creative thinking. As a psychiatrist I instantly need to know more. I will have to ask my colleagues specialized in genetics.
Torsten Ringqvist, Malmö, Sweden
My heart goes out to Elisabeth- a whole life wasted in agony. It is impossible to even imagine how she existed day after day,night after night horrified ,hurting,helpless succumbing to a beast. The only punishment for a rapist should be to deprive him of his manhood so that he can never do it again.
jaya, Bombay,
The logic in this article is nuts. If Nazism is as pervasive in the Austrian psyche as the article suggests, the place wouldn't function and it patently does. You've stretched the point so much, the elastic has snapped. Austrians are reserved. They should loosen up. End of.
Kate, Vienna, Austria
I was born in USA, my mother was Austrian. She endured WWII over there and I have to say that yes, The elderly in Austria dwell in a closed society especially in Vienna. Closet Nazi's like my mother was. During difficult times she would always say, "If Hitler were here now.............."
Phillip, MIami, USA
He had others acting with him. There can be no doubt of that. It seems implausible that his wife would not need to visit the cellar in 24 years. What could possibly explain her husbands absences? I can't begin to understand why in 24 years the daughter and children could not injure him / escape.
Monica, London, USA
F was a sexual offender before all this. It is extremly rare for a sexual offender to rehabllate. They become more secretive and savage. They only sure way that a society can deal with them is to rid them off the ability to make or enjoy sex.
Adam, miami, florida
This is just a reminder of what a horrible animal humans are. I cannot begin to understand the mind that would allow itself to perform such acts. This could have happened anywhere on Earth. 100k yrs of evolution. Way to go! Pray for them. Love them. Embrace peace.
adrian, TRACY, CA, USA
Austrian Society needs to wake up and admit there is something wrong.
Just like ireland needs to remember what it did to innocent women only a few decades ago in the laundrys. These women were imprisoned, tortured and sexualy abused. and the government knew all about it. Ireland is repressed too.
John Ryan, Cork, Ireland
I have been living in Vienna for the last 2 years. I have to agree with the author that there is something fundamentally wrong with these people who refuse to face their horrible past. The same old Austrian bourgeoisie is still in power. I'm moving away next month. It's just too repressive.
Mladen, Auckland, New Zealand
"His daughter was perhaps seen as wayward, in need of discipline. He devised the ultimate punishment — the impossibility of escape."
Are you kidding? He started abusing her sexually when she was 11 years old. He admits that he "selected" her to be his basement captive. The man is a sociopath.
MacKenna, Canada,
The father took regular holidays in Thailand - which is known for its child sex tourism trade. Surely the authorities should expand the investigation to this country and others where he might have abused other children. Interpol should get involved. I can't believe this man abused one girl only.
MacKenna, Canada,
As a student I lived in Austria, in Lower Austria in particular, and I met a lot of kind, generous and truly open-minded people. What happened in Amstetten should be regarded as the terrible, disgusting degeneration of a sick patriarchal family that could have easily happened elsewhere too.
Ileana, Modena, Italy
an autistic society. Totally selfish.
Zheta, California, USA
I have traveled all over the world and I can say there is something about Austria and its society that is disturbiung to say the least. It is a closed minded society. I personally have been fighting for five years to just tell my daughter I love her.
Paula Angelique Hafner, Feldkirch,
I have been living in Austria since 21 y. and I am not surprised that such a psychopathic crimes happen here. People lock themselves off, allthough there is a low crime rate. If you knock on your neighbours' door to ask them something, often they do not open, but speak with you from behind the door.
Mikail Martinez, Vienna, Austria
I can't understand why the mother and the other siblings didn't try to look for Elisabeth. Especially after her unwanted children started appearing. Didn't it occur to anyone she might need help?
Frizl was 73. What if he had died suddenly of a heart attack? Those trapped below would have starved.
devorgilla, Edinburgh,
No way could he have acted alone! Him on holiday for weeks on end? Yes, leave enough food for 4 people but what about their waste i.e. nappies, food scraps & normal rubbish in such a confined space. The smell would attract attention. In 24 years no health, plumbing ot other emergency - hardly likely
LT, Warminster, UK
Perhaps I'm out of my league here, but I find it a little nutty that an entire society would blame itself for the cruel undertakings of one man. I do however, have a problem with the wife. I think she had to have known something was amiss in that cellar, and maybe (due to fear?) turned a blind eye.
Rebecca Bothwell, Flint , USA
The police keep saying that his wife knew nothing and had nothing to do with it. How can they be so sure of this after only a few days? To me, this taints the investigation. I'm sure she suspected something at the very least, as should have all members of his family.
Melinda, Campbell, USA
Every country has criminals. Hindle tortured and murdered children in the UK. Do we have such a short term memory.
What we should be asking is how is Austria going to help the victims. Knowing the country, better than our Social Services.
Two "sick" crimes do not make the country.
JC, London, UK
To understand how crimes like this go without notice one has to appreciate the society in which men consider themselves entitled. He gave himself permission to treat his daughter as he saw fit, he ignored her basic human rights. For that he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Lynn Cresswell, Adelaide, Australia
“police stated their belief that Mr. Fritzl acted entirely on his own” So how do they account for the increase food, clothing and sanitary products needed for a family that large or did he do the shopping as well as go to work. The only way to keep a secret is if only one person knows about it-noway
alan, Cardiff, UK
I have never been to Austria, and know no Austrians; I can therefore make no personal judgements. However, I find it disturbing that it seems impossible to explore a racial gene-pool that embraced or endured Nazism without being accused of offence. Such exploration is surely crucial to progress.
Lucy Atkinson, Granville,
This sort of thing can happen anywhere. What about Fred West? No Nazi influence there. Austria may well be a society of private people, but, in all honesty, I couldn't tell you much about my neighbours!
Sarah Carson, Grimsby, UK
I find people in Austria warm and friendly. You see children playing outside unsupervised and young children walking home from kindergarten alone. People greet strangers in the street. If anything perhaps people are too trusting due to a low crime rate. Don't judge a nation on 2 isolated incidents.
Jo, Dornbirn, Austria
How could the neighbours didnt notice it for 24 years, its impossible to imagine the crime. Mr F should be brough to justice.
Siraj, Bangalore, India
"Heinrich Gross, who supervised experiments on child euthanasia victims..."
Euthansia means mercy killing. Gross committed genocide and torture.
Eileen, San Francisco, USA
Family members and friends commit most such crimes. This monster made a cellar with official approval a few yrs before Eliz. disappeared. The family should've been subjected to lie detector tests, the property should've been searched with police dogs. How did they survive when he was in Thailand?
Rajiv, Bombay, India
Neither Mr F nor Hitler reflect Austrian society. Judging 8 million people based on 2 men's actions is offensive and inappropriate.
As to “How is it possible that nobody heard or saw anything...?” How much do YOU know about your neighbors? Can you vouch for their actions and whereabouts 24/7?
Cheristane, Dublin, Ireland
I feel deeply insulted by Mr. Boyes tirade: to draw a link between Nazi-Austria and this horrible crime is utterly inappropriate and outrageous. Concerning some comments here: during my 2 years stay in London I did not perceive the UK society much warmer or less inhibited than the Austrian.
Dietmar, Hartberg, Austria
" how many facts do I need to know about my father to know myself? It is a good question, rarely posed in Austria."
My father was a child in WWII, now 75, I am 43. Quite honestly,we don't understand why British media is so obsessed with Nazis, I've never seen more films of Hitler than on BBC
Alfre, Vienna,
Most of every society tends to look away. Unfortunately this world is so clogged with misfortune and catastrophic disaster that we must play numb or ignorant in order to survive. Evil lurks everywhere and inbetween. It does not discriminate nor does it keep to any one geographical space.
Elizabeth Reynolds, Ellensburg, United States
I am an foreigner living in Austria for some years now and I do agree with the person who said "austrian keep themselves for themselves". This place is not wellcoming at all to happy, celebrating, warmhearted people... Austrian Society has to confront its skeletons...Applause to the author.
Maria Antonieta, Viena, Austria
Mr Boyce says that 'we should save our pity for the 18-year-old youth and his two siblings found in the cellar at the weekend'...what about the mother? Why is she not worthy of our pity? And why single out the boy as the main character? What about his 19 year old sister laying in a coma?
kim, london,
What happened is an awful tradegy not an opportunity to twist things to author an outrageously offence article
Helen, Edinburgh,
Unfortunately Mr. Boyes uses an extremely tragical case to make general - and widely unfounded - accusations against "Austrian society". Regarding his comments on the Kampusch case: Does he really believe that revealing intimate details of this by tabloids was in the interest of the victim?
Andreas Ottitsch, Penrith, UK
As for the "look-away"-society arguments: Mr. Boyes does not know what the neighbours COULD have known, but he postulates what they SHOULD have done. Has Mr. Boyes ever bothered about young UK citizens of Asian origin "vanishing" in arranged marriages?
Andreas Ottitsch, Penrith, UK
I can't believe I have to read such an article in the Times. It's offending and inappropiate for Austria. Especially the Nazi allusions surpass any boundaries of decency. This case is truly revolting, but there is no reason to insult my homeland. Please, firstly, look at your own flaws- eg. Guernsey
Tom, Cardiff, Wales
I lived in Austria for two years in the 90's and found them to be inward-looking, suspicious and xenophobic. A place where people keep themselves to themselves. Any country which brandishes signs saying (translated) 'I am a friendly Viennese person' knows that it has a sociability problem.
Gerald, Northampton,
As for the "NAZI"-allegations: Is Mr. Boyes aware that in proportion to population size there were more death sentences for Nazis in Austria after WW2 than in Germany? As for Ms. Stuiber's comments: The political position of most "Standard"-comments is slightly to the left of "The Guardian"...
Andreas Ottitsch, Penrith, UK
Your instant comparison with the Nazis does you little credit. Lazy, stereotypical journalism that is as outdated as it is offensive.
Andy Farley, LIVERPOOL, UK
Mr. F bought supplies in another town. Other than that, what are the clues the neighbors, the police, and his wife should have seen?
And which is more believable? That an adult daughter would join a cult and disappear and dump her babies with Mom, or that a father would kidnap her to the cellar?
Jeannette Jaquish, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA