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Elisabeth Fritzl Describes Life Under Josef

Posted Sep 10, 08 2:01 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – Elisabeth Fritzl describes as horrific life under the control of father Josef in the Austrian cellar where she and her children lived, the Telegraph reports. "He was very brutal against me," the 42-year-old said of the man who fathered seven children with her. Elisabeth, discovered in April, detailed how Josef raped her three times a week, threatening her children when she denied him.

“He was just all-powerful,” Elisabeth said in her first interview. "When he was here it was all silence. He would be insulting against me and the children.” She also said Josef threatened to lock them away permanently if they disobeyed: "He said he could close the door whenever he wanted and then we would soon see how we survived."

Source Times (UK)

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A black-and-white photo shows a man who was identified by a former schoolmate as then-16-year-old Josef Fritzl.   (AP Photo)
Josef Fritzl is seen in this undated file photo.   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)
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When he was at the table and we were eating and someone was holding their knife wrongly, or did not want to eat, there would be verbal abuse. - Elisabeth Fritzl

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crime • Josef Fritzl • Austria • Elisabeth Fritzl • slavery • authoritarianism


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