Notorious Figure Behind ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ Passes Away

Clark Olofsson, one of the infamous criminals associated with the incident that birthed the term “Stockholm syndrome,” has passed away at the age of 78, as confirmed by his family.

Olofsson gained international attention in 1973 during a dramatic six-day bank siege in Stockholm. The event saw his hostages unexpectedly develop empathy for him and his accomplice, while expressing resentment towards law enforcement, leading to the psychological phenomenon known as Stockholm syndrome.

The situation began when accomplice Jan-Erik Olsson took hostages and requested Olofsson, whom he had befriended in prison, to join him. Swedish authorities acquiesced, allowing Olofsson into the bank surrounded by police forces. He later recounted that he was meant to act as a negotiator for the hostages in exchange for a lighter sentence, a claim he felt was betrayed by officials.

One of the hostages, Kristin Enmark, even spoke to the Swedish Prime Minister, vouching for the captors’ humanity. She said, “They haven’t done a thing to us” and described their time in captivity as surprisingly pleasant.

After the police stormed the bank, the hostages’ reluctance to leave stemmed from fears for their safety. Olofsson, a persistent offender, spent much of his life incarcerated but was released in 2018. His life inspired the Netflix portrayal in “Clark,” featuring actor Bill Skarsgård.

Theories surrounding Stockholm syndrome continue to spark discussion, with some experts questioning its legitimacy as a psychological condition.

Source: www.bbc.com

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