Fritzl held for another month

2008-05-09 21:43

Vienna - An Austrian judge on Friday ordered a man accused of imprisoning his daughter for 24 years and fathering her seven children to be held in custody for another month, a prosecution spokesperson said.

Josef Fritzl, 73, did not speak during the procedure, which "lasted less than 15 minutes", and his lawyer did not appeal the ruling, the spokesperson, Peter Ficenc told reporters.

Fritzl was first remanded in custody in the town of St Poelten on April 29.

He has admitted to sexually abusing and holding his daughter captive in a windowless cellar and forcing her into 24 years of sexual abuse, according to police.

Fritzl was questioned by the prosecutor for the first time on Wednesday.

Police are still carrying out a search of the cellar in Amstetten, eastern Austria, where the victim and three of her children were held captive.

Fritzl faces up to 15 years in jail for rape and sequestration. He could also be sentenced to life in prison, if found guilty of manslaughter for the death of one of his daughter's babies, shortly after birth in the cellar.

Fritzl's lawyer has said his client may plead diminished responsibility.

- AFP