Markus H. abused boys in Austria, now he is in Switzerland – his psychiatrist explains
That’s why the pedo-Trychler is now running around freely
In Austria, freedom trychler Markus H. was convicted. Despite this, he is not being treated in a closed psychiatric ward in Switzerland. He is currently at liberty. In an interview with Blick, his psychiatrist explains why.
Published: 10 minutes ago
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Andreas Frei treats the pedophile freedom trychler.
The case shocked, causing bewilderment: Between November and December 2021, the Swiss freedom trychler Markus H. * repeatedly abused underage boys, created child porn and lured children to hotels.
Markus H. was arrested in Austria at the beginning of 2022 and was held in custody for months. In January 2023 he is on trial in Krems an der Donau, Austria. This orders a conditional admission to an “institute for mentally abnormal lawbreakers”. According to the report, H. is of unsound mind. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia with pronounced delusions and also pedophilia. The “Tages-Anzeiger” reported first.
Eight months of treatment
Because the admission is conditional, he can continue his treatment in Switzerland. H. is currently at large in this country. He will be treated in future by psychiatrist Andreas Frei (68). “It is an unusual case,” he says in an interview with Blick. Schizophrenia combined with pedophilia is not that common.
H. had been in custody in Austria for eight months. During this time he had already been treated. “The reports I have received are promising. That’s why I decided to treat him,” says Frei.
Treatments for such serious psychiatric disorders vary from case to case. “Basically, however, those affected learn how to deal with the medication. Then it is important to build up and establish a normal network of relationships again.” However, the form in which Markus H. will be treated – a supervised living group or care from home are conceivable – is still completely unclear. “The first sessions will show that,” says Frei.
Free – but not free
But how can it be that Markus H. can now walk around freely? After all, his actions are shocking: Markus H. abused a twelve-year-old at least three times, according to the indictment he “humiliated the boy in a special way”. He also abused three other boys. The youngest victim: almost 10 years old.
Frei says that for the best possible treatment, it is crucial that something like normality prevails for the perpetrators. “That’s why you relax the conditions as soon as the circumstances allow. In Austria he was treated behind bars for several months – now the first successes are appearing and the conditions can be relaxed. The procedure in Switzerland would be practically exactly the same.”
Markus H. is closely accompanied. Proof of medication and the course of psychotherapy must be provided regularly. “There is also a closed psychiatric facility nearby,” says Frei. Should Markus H.’s condition deteriorate, he could be admitted quickly.
Pedophilia is not curable. However, it is quite possible that if schizophrenia is curbed with medication, pedophilia will no longer be a problem. Nevertheless: “The disease will never go away completely. I therefore assume that he will need treatment for the rest of his life.”
* Name changed