Austrian incest father Fritzl charged with murder

Austrian Josef Fritzl, who imprisoned his daughter in a cellar for 24 years and fathered seven children by her, has been charged with the murder of one of their children who died shortly after birth. Prosecutors said on Thursday they have also charged...

Austrian Josef Fritzl, who imprisoned his daughter in a cellar for 24 years and fathered seven children by her, has been charged with the murder of one of their children who died shortly after birth.

Prosecutors said on Thursday they have also charged 73-year-old Fritzl with rape, enslavement, incest and several other charges.

Fritzl, who has been in investigative custody since the case was exposed in April, kept his daughter Elisabeth in a soundproofed basement under his house in the central Austrian town of Amstetten.

Fritzl last month was cleared as mentally fit for a trial by jury. The trial is expected to begin early next year. He could face 10-20 years in jail or life imprisonment if convicted on the murder charge.

Fritzl's lawyer was not immediately available for comment.

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