Enduring myth of Stockholm Syndrome


Five police officers with gas masks leading away a handcuffed Olsson after the resolution of the hostage drama in Stockholm. — AFP

“GET down to the floor! The party begins!” Shouting in English, Jan-Erik Olsson walked into a Stockholm bank on Aug 23, 1973, high on drugs, agitated and waving a submachine gun.

So began a hostage drama that would go on to last six days, and birth the term “Stockholm Syndrome” – a concept now known around the world whereby captives develop an emotional bond with their captors.

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