Woman escapes three-month captivity, torture in Czech Republic

A 27-year-old woman escaped a harrowing three-month ordeal in which she was allegedly kidnapped, raped, and tortured by a truck driver named Karel N. in a basement in Sirem, Czech Republic. The victim, who managed to flee at around 3 am on February 16, described her captivity as akin to the infamous Josef Fritzl case, where she was forced to eat and drink from a dog bowl and was kept in squalid conditions. Neighbors who aided her reported she was emaciated and had a chain with a lock around her neck, indicating severe mistreatment. Karel N., who has a history of similar offenses, is currently in custody awaiting trial. Local residents expressed shock at the brutality of the case, which has drawn significant media attention. Authorities are investigating the full extent of the abuse and prior incidents involving the suspect.