Fact Check: Hostages defended their captors during the six-day bank siege.

Fact Check: "Hostages defended their captors during the six-day bank siege."

What We Know

The claim that hostages defended their captors during the six-day bank siege refers to the infamous Norrmalmstorg robbery that took place in Stockholm, Sweden, in August 1973. During this incident, hostages were taken by Jan-Erik Olsson and Clark Olofsson. Reports indicate that as the siege progressed, hostages began to sympathize with their captors, even defending their actions and expressing concern for their safety. For instance, one of the hostages, Kristin Enmark, communicated with the Swedish Prime Minister, stating, "I fully trust Clark and the robber... They haven't done a thing to us" and described the situation as "really nice" despite the circumstances (BBC, History).

The term "Stockholm syndrome," which describes the phenomenon where hostages develop feelings of affection for their captors, originated from this event. The hostages' behavior included not only defending their captors but also later refusing to testify against them (Wikipedia, New Indian Express).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, with multiple credible sources corroborating the behavior of the hostages during the Norrmalmstorg robbery. The BBC reported that hostages grew increasingly sympathetic to Olofsson and Olsson, defending their actions while becoming hostile towards the police (BBC). This aligns with historical accounts that detail how hostages expressed fears for their captors' safety and even attempted to negotiate on their behalf (History, Wikipedia).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they include established news organizations and historical analyses. The BBC is known for its rigorous journalism standards, while the History Channel provides well-researched content on historical events. Wikipedia, while user-edited, often serves as a good starting point for historical inquiries, especially when corroborated by other reputable sources.

However, it is important to note that some experts debate the validity of the concept of Stockholm syndrome as a psychological condition, suggesting it may be more of a coping mechanism for trauma rather than a formal syndrome. This debate does not negate the fact that hostages did indeed defend their captors during the siege (New Indian Express).

Conclusion

The claim that "hostages defended their captors during the six-day bank siege" is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that hostages at the Norrmalmstorg robbery did express sympathy for their captors and defended their actions during the crisis. This behavior is a key aspect of what later became known as Stockholm syndrome.