Vienna - The trial of Josef Fritzl, accused of imprisoning and raping his daughter for 24 years in a dungeon in the Austrian town of Amstetten, is not expected before autumn, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office said Friday. Speaking to reporters after a court hearing to extend Fritzl's detention for another month, Gerald Sedlacek said it would take "months" for the investigations to conclude.
Prosecutors would then need to decide which charges would be levelled against the 73-year-old who fathered seven children with his daughter Elisabeth.
"The charges are not yet foreseeable," Sedlacek said, adding that those details depended on the results of the investigation.
Possible charges were deprivation of liberty, incest and rape resulting in pregnancy. Authorities may also consider a charge of involuntary manslaughter, as one of the seven children, which Elisabeth gave birth to, died in infancy and could have been saved by Fritzl.
Fritzl did not make any remarks during Friday's court hearing. He had earlier admitted to his crimes when interrogated by police.
Police in Amstetten said they had completed securing the evidence at the basement dungeon underneath Fritzl's house. Next week, forensic experts would continue their investigation of the house and the grounds.
