Family breathes a sigh of relief

Chancellor gets far-right grandpa out of Taliban custody

The avowed right-winger Herbert Fritz (right) with his family(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

Since the end of May 2023, the far-right author Herbert Fritz has been in custody in Afghanistan without charge or sentence. Now his family can breathe a sigh of relief in this matter: following interventions by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the 84-year-old has now been 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 after 282 days in captivity. He was able to leave Afghanistan by plane on Sunday. He landed in Doha in the afternoon and will travel on to Austria from there.

Diplomacy "at eye level"
According to the Chancellery: "The release of Mr. Herbert Fritz from prison in Afghanistan shows how much long-term, trusting cooperation at eye level has proven itself in diplomacy." Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg had repeatedly campaigned for the "release and return" of the Austrian.

"We would particularly like to thank our partners in Qatar and the EU representation in Kabul for their discreet and trusting cooperation, which ultimately led to Mr. Fritz being able to return to Austria," the Foreign Ministry announced.

In custody since May as a judicial victim of the Taliban
The 84-year-old is an avowed 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 land of the Taliban - the former teacher has been traveling to dangerous places around the globe for decades - Fritz has been behind bars as a judicial victim of the Taliban.

The Foreign Ministry stated in December: "Since his arrest, we have been in constant contact with his family, are looking after him as well as possible via the responsible 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.