By Greg Milam, Sky News Europe correspondent

One of the strangest things about covering the case of "Dungeon Dad" Josef Fritz has been "Rosemarie's car".

For a week, cameras from around the world have been set up in the street alongside Fritzl's house in Amstetten.

Right in the middle of them, a grey hatchback has been largely ignored.

Sky News revealed last week that the car belonged to Josef Fritzl's wife, Rosemarie.

But when local reporters started asking the police why the car hadn't been removed, either as evidence or just for privacy reasons, something strange happened.

The police told them that "it can't be Rosemarie's car, because if it was, then someone in the police would have done something about it".

To locals, this seems to sum up the kind of institutinal problems that allowed Fritzl to carry out his terrible crimes unchecked.

In effect: "He can't be involved in his daughter's disappearance, because someone would know."

The "someone else will have done it" approach isn't unique to Austria, but it doesn't reflect well on the country at the moment.

Especially when the head of government is more keen to talk about improving the image abroad.

There has been something else odd about the national response.

You would think that Austrians would have a measure of sympathy for Natascha Kampusch, victim of the last great Austrian cellar scandal.

But most people I've spoken to since she offered her support to the Fritzl children have said the same: "I just wish she would shut up."

Why? Doesn't she have a more valid opinion on this case than most people?

Maybe it draws attention to the possibility that this is an "Austrian problem".

Don't talk about it, it might all go away.

Comments

[ana Portugal May 8, 2008 8:54:54 AM]

I dont understand why a men that has criminal accusation for abusing children can adopt not only one but more. And he went to Thailand alone? and his wife and children? didnt question him? Was the police and social services sleeping? I am from Portugal and ye! there are a lot of things to be explained in this case.

I am from Portugal,and Fernando, Madleine has nothing to do with this, but anyway there are a lot of things to be explained also in that case! Money is very powerfull and he can buy people, police,media, friends and opinions!

[Louisa May 8, 2008 4:33:00 AM]

Don't call him 'Dad'! I agree with the above comment. My kids' father sexually assaulted them and when he was being tried in court the newspapers constantly referred to him as 'Dad'. It made us sick. Like Frizl, he has lost the right to be called a 'dad'.

[Fernando Guimaraes, Co Cork, Ireland May 7, 2008 3:41:28 PM]

Why is the country's (austria) goverment being criticised for defending its nation from malicious opinion, they're just doing their job, i'm a portuguese living in a foreign country for 5 years, since then, horrible things happened back in my so called home country and here in Ireland, isn't the media being told to focus on this one, so, back home people start to forget their own horror crimes? How many examples do people want? Madeleine,portugal. Robert holohan, cork, Ireland. What about children's body's dug up not long ago in the uk? Honestly, start thinking a little before you do post something like this.

[smitty in U.S. May 7, 2008 9:26:29 AM]

So, the article never clarifies - is it Rosemarie's car or not?

[Nadia, Geneva May 7, 2008 8:48:56 AM]

When I first heard of the story, I immediately thought how it reminded me of the grim and nightmarish Austrian society described in Thomas Bernhard's work. He had Austrian society against him when in 1968 he pronounced a speech saying that Austrians were apathetic and negating life. All his work has this same theme. I remember how I found it fascinating but I thought it was exaggerated. Now, I'm not so sure Bernhard was exaggerating. Especially after the Kampusch affair barely two years ago, this can't be pure coincidence.

[Gail N - South Africa May 7, 2008 6:59:56 AM]

MONSTER:_ A cruel wicked and inhuman person! That is what the dictionary says Fritl, You fit the description to a tee. You should die a slow painful death. This is the biggest crime since the holocaust. Who the hell do you think you are to take another's life (in any form) and misuse it as you have on your very own flesh and blood. And to still claim that you saved them... FROM WHAT did you save Elisabeth! You stole her life and all your childrens. Your very act has ruined your entire family's lives! If you feel you are so innocent - WALK AMONG YOUR FELLOW INMATES AND DECLARE THAT YOU ARE NOT A MONSTER!!! (and see how they react)You won't because you are a coward and way beyond that a MONSTER that has NEVER emerged on this planet before!

[BeeSA May 7, 2008 5:45:46 AM]

Underground shelters like this were built during the war and this is understandable. The Austrian Government RIGHT NOW has a LOT to answer for. They, the Department of Homes & Building and the Safety Authorities (police) must now GET OFF THEIR BACKSIDES and form a national campaign whereby EVERY home or place of business with such a 'bunker' is FULLY inspected and such inspections to be done on a REGULAR BASIS. This kind of human captivity seems to be almost common in Austria .. is THIS the impression the Austrian people wnat the world to have of them????

COME ON PEOPLE OF AUSTRIA ... petition your Government to do inspections like this. People who have nothing to hide will in NO WAY object to such inspections.

[Nina, London May 7, 2008 5:27:59 AM]

I so agree with Paul Loften. To use the term "dad" is shocking. The same goes for the term "Mr" Fritzl.
He is a pure evil, a monster from the darkest nightmares you can [or can not] imagine. Shame on you for calling him "Dad"!

[A lowe Madrid Spain May 7, 2008 3:10:08 AM]

I am sorry if offend any austrian by saying this, but I have been living with an austrian man for many years now in Madrid Spain and he has for a long time always said how Austrian people are different from spanish in the sense that most austrians turn and look away and are rather ignorant or simply dont want to get involved, this is very typical of austrian society in general,

[jane lavan weybridge surrey england May 7, 2008 1:25:41 AM]

josef Frizi,
i feel sick to the stomach to think,anyone let alone Elizabeths own father could treat a human being in such away, I trully hope that Elizabeth and her children can be given all the help and support they need, they should be given the best of everything life can provide to try and make up for the way they have suffered,I hate to say this but
Frizi,well what will he get a prison sentence, just give him a dark cell without windows, with bread and water for the rest of his life,he is worthless.

[Keith, Germany May 6, 2008 2:43:27 PM]

Firstly, to M Herman, this particular incident has happened in Austria not Germany, lets not try and compare this to the holocaust...
My main issue is that Mr Fritz is quitew obviously an evil and manipulative con man. I have also read that Natascha Kampusch wants to meet with the daughter and discuss the issue. I cant think of anyone better qualified than her. The whole situation is really quite incomprehensible to any "normal" human being.

[john dublin May 6, 2008 11:58:29 AM]

Hi all well this story is not adding up.First where was the big room that they wer first held in,second how were the blocks and tiles cables etc moved in to place under ground,with out anyone finding out.It appears to be a fallout shelter from the pictures,with blast door,.The complex i think must have been excavated by machines.What are the police upto,the story cahnges day to day

[G May 6, 2008 9:12:18 AM]

I might be wrong, but it seems to be part of the Austrian culture this attitude of worrying more for the scandal than for the cause of it i.e. crimes or else.

[paul loften May 6, 2008 2:29:48 AM]

As a "dad" of three children I resent you using this term to describe this beast. To me a "dad" is a term for a true friend to his children . A man who brought a child to this world to be his sex slave and prisoner cannot be described as a "dad". Misuse of this word is an insult to real dads everywhere.

[M Herman May 6, 2008 1:05:08 AM]

It may be a national problem, and someone has already said to me about the Germans and the silence during the holocaust in the last world war....people tend not to want to get involved and say, ''it's nothing to do with me'' and walk by like the proverbial priest and levite...or whoever. When I have wanted to help in a situation I'v been told, don't get involved....but we must! Who knows if we won't be the next victim that needs help!