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Austrians question cellar captive Austrians question cellar captive
(20 minutes later)
Legal authorities in Austria have begun questioning Elisabeth Fritzl, the woman who was held captive in a cellar for 24 years by her father, Josef.Legal authorities in Austria have begun questioning Elisabeth Fritzl, the woman who was held captive in a cellar for 24 years by her father, Josef.
The questioning involved a doctor to determine how one of the seven babies she had with her father died, said a spokesman for the state prosecutor. The questioning involved a doctor to determine how one of the seven babies she was forced to bear by her father had died, said the prosecutor's office.
Elisabeth was said to be in a relatively good state of health. Mr Fritzl confessed to incinerating the body of the dead baby, officials say.
The authorities say they hope to have formal charges against Josef Fritzl ready within a few months. Formal charges against Josef Fritzl may be ready within a few months - allowing a trial to start later this year.
That would allow a trial to start before the end of the year. The interview is being filmed so that Elisabeth Fritzl will not have to give evidence in person in court, officials said.
It is not clear how long the questioning will last or where it is taking place.
Possible murder chargePossible murder charge
Mr Fritzl is being held in pre-trial detention in St Poelten, 80 km (50 miles) west of the capital, Vienna.Mr Fritzl is being held in pre-trial detention in St Poelten, 80 km (50 miles) west of the capital, Vienna.
His alleged victims, including Elisabeth, 42, are undergoing treatment at a psychiatric hospital. His alleged victims, including Elisabeth, 42, are undergoing treatment at a psychiatric hospital. Elisabeth and her cildren spent years in a windowless cellarProsecutors say Mr Fritzl has confessed to keeping his daughter captive in a cell at his home in Amstetten, where he says he had seven children with her.
Elisabeth and her cildren spent years in a windowless cellarProsecutors say Mr Fritzl has confessed to keeping his daughter captive in a cell at his home in Amstetten, where he says he had seven children with her.
Three of the children were confined to the cellar, three were raised above ground, and one died in infancy, officials say.Three of the children were confined to the cellar, three were raised above ground, and one died in infancy, officials say.
Mr Fritzl confessed to incinerating the body of the dead baby, and could face murder charges if he is found responsible for the death, officials say. Mr Fritzl confessed to disposing of the child's corpse - a twin born in 1997 - and could face murder charges if he is found responsible for the death, officials say.
DNA tests have shown he is the father of Elisabeth's six surviving children.DNA tests have shown he is the father of Elisabeth's six surviving children.
The case first came to light after Kerstin, one of the children fathered by Mr Fritzl, became seriously ill and was taken to hospital.The case first came to light after Kerstin, one of the children fathered by Mr Fritzl, became seriously ill and was taken to hospital.
Unable to find any medical records, they appealed for the teenager's mother to come forward.Unable to find any medical records, they appealed for the teenager's mother to come forward.
At that point Mr Fritzl released Elisabeth, who then explained the story to police.At that point Mr Fritzl released Elisabeth, who then explained the story to police.
Kerstin was finally reunited with her family after coming out of a coma earlier this month. She is expected to make a full recovery.Kerstin was finally reunited with her family after coming out of a coma earlier this month. She is expected to make a full recovery.