Since the end of May 2023, right-wing extremist author Herbert Fritz has been imprisoned in Afghanistan without charge or sentence. Now his family can breathe a sigh of relief in this matter: after the intervention of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the 84-year-old was released and allowed to leave Afghanistan.
After a Christmas miracle failed to materialize in December despite political interventions, the time has now come: Fritz is a free man again. He was able to leave Afghanistan by plane on Sunday. In the afternoon he landed in Doha and from there traveled to Austria.
Diplomacy “at eye level”
The Chancellery states: ‘The release of Mr Herbert Fritz from prison in Afghanistan shows how much long-term, trusting cooperation on equal terms has proven to be in diplomacy.’ Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg have repeatedly used the Austrian’s ‘release and return’.
“We would particularly like to thank our partners in Qatar and the EU representation in Kabul for their discreet and trusting cooperation, which ultimately allowed Mr Fritz to return to Austria,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Imprisoned since May as a judicial victim of the Taliban
The 84-year-old is an outspoken right-wing extremist and even a founding member of the National Democratic Party (NDP), which was banned in 1988. Since his local inspection in May in the country of the Taliban – the former teacher has been traveling to dangerous places all over the world for decades – Fritz has been behind bars as a judicial victim of the Taliban.
The Foreign Ministry said in December: “We have been in constant contact with his family since his arrest, are caring for him as best we can through the relevant Austrian Embassy in Islamabad and the EU Representation in Kabul and are making intensive efforts to secure his release. ” The family even asked Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen for help.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
