A French father took justice into his own hands after Germany declined to extradite the man responsible for his daughter’s death.
In 1982, André Bamberski lost his 14-year-old daughter, Kalinka Bamberski. She had travelled to Lindau, Bavaria, for her summer holiday with her mother and stepfather, Dieter Krombach.
During this visit, Krombach drugged Kalinka, leading to her suffocation and death. He confessed to administering a substance, claiming it would enhance her tan, but the lethal cocktail of substances he injected proved fatal.
In 1995, Krombach was found guilty, yet Germany refused to extradite him. The French Ministry of Law also declined to issue an international arrest warrant. Feeling justice was elusive, Bamberski became determined to act.
Recalling his ordeal, Bamberski said, “Those legal proceedings caused me to suffer so much. I felt like I couldn’t trust anyone any more.”
Despite knowing Krombach’s guilt, Bamberski faced inaction from authorities. In 2009, the French father orchestrated a plan to kidnap Krombach, which later became the subject of a Netflix documentary.
Bamberski travelled to Bregenz, Austria, near the German border, and posted adverts seeking help in transferring Krombach to France. Anton Krasniqi, a local resident, responded and enlisted two Russian mobsters to assist. They captured Krombach outside his home, bound and gagged him, and drove him across the border into France.
Once Krombach was in France, Bamberski anonymously informed the police about the fugitive’s location. Krombach was found bound outside the prosecutor’s office in Mulhouse, near the German border.
Bamberski admitted he hadn’t considered the legal consequences of kidnapping Krombach, stating he wouldn’t have proceeded if he had known.
Two years after the abduction, Krombach received a 15-year prison sentence for causing intentional bodily harm resulting in unintentional death. Bamberski avoided jail time for the kidnapping but received a one-year suspended sentence for organising the crime.
In a 2022 interview, Bamberski defended his actions, saying, “I fully respect that people can be morally against my removal of the doctor from Germany to France, but everyone must respect that – legally – I did nothing wrong. That was proven by the judicial system.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- ABC News provides a chilling account of Jake Patterson’s kidnapping of Jayme Closs and killing her parents, emphasising his meticulous planning and gruesome actions. (read more)
- Los Angeles Times reports on the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old girl, Savannah Graziano, by San Bernardino County deputies who believed she was kidnapped by her father. The deputies, unaware of the instructions given to the girl, shot her as she walked towards them following their commands.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was Kalinka Bamberski?
Kalinka Bamberski was a 14-year-old girl who died in 1982.
What did Dieter Krombach do to Kalinka?
Dieter Krombach drugged Kalinka, causing her to suffocate and die.
Why did André Bamberski kidnap Krombach?
André Bamberski kidnapped Krombach because Germany refused to extradite him for Kalinka’s death.
How was Krombach brought to France?
Krombach was kidnapped, bound, gagged, and driven across the border into France.
What was the outcome of Krombach’s kidnapping?
Krombach was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Bamberski received a one-year suspended sentence.