First book on Austrian kidnap woman hits shelves

LONDON/VIENNA, Dec 1 (Reuters) A British publisher has ignored the wishes of Austrian former kidnap victim Natascha Kampusch and released the first account of her harrowing ordea living as a captive for eight years in a windowless cell.

Hodder&Stoughton's ''Girl in the Cellar: The Natascha Kampusch Story'' written by two journalists went on sale in London bookstores yesterday, despite Kampusch's advisers saying she would sue anyone trying to publish a book about her.

They have argued that she was the only person who should tell her story.

Aware of the controversy surrounding the publication, Hodder&Stoughton issued a brief statement to accompany the release of the 260-page book.

''Hodder&Stoughton publishers have taken steps to ensure that the book 'Girl in the Cellar' complies with appropriate legal requirements,'' it said. ''They do not intend to market the book in Europe outside the UK.'' The London-based agent dealing with the book's publishing rights was not immediately available for comment.

In Vienna, Kampusch's lawyer Gerald Ganzger threatened to sue the online version of British newspaper The Times, which featured an extract from the book on November 23.

''We have said it loud and clear that Natascha Kampusch will not put up with these untruths and rumours,'' he told Reuters, referring to the book.

''Once we have the authenticated translation next week, we are going to take legal measures under media law against www.timesonline.co.uk in Austria.'' The newspaper was not immediately available for comment.

LEGAL ACTION Ganzger said he was unsure if he would pursue legal action against the book publishers, adding that such a case would only give the book free publicity which Kampusch wanted to avoid.

''It makes more sense to try and stop the book from spreading and from being translated, and that the general public will perceive the book for what it is a snapshot, a compilation which is not even remotely telling Ms Kampusch's story.

''This book has nothing to do with the history and the life of Ms Kampusch...,'' he said.

''The Girl in the Cellar'' was written by Allan Hall, a journalist based in Berlin, and Michael Leidig, also a journalist based in Austria.

Kampusch, now 18, was forced to live in a cell beneath a house garage from 1998 until her dramatic escape in August, which turned her into an international media sensation.

Her captor, 44-year-old Wolfgang Priklopil, committed suicide hours after she slipped away.

REUTERS SY ND0952