Judge extends custody of Austrian accused in dungeon case

VIENNA, Austria — An Austrian judge has ruled that a man accused of keeping his daughter captive in a dungeon for 24 years should remain in custody.

St. Poelten provincial court spokesman Franz Cutka said the decision Friday extends Josef Fritzl's pretrial detention by a month.

(enlarge photo) The outside of the courthouse in St. Poelten, Austria, where Josef Fritzl will appear before a judge in a routine closed door session later Friday, May 9, 2008, as authorities apply to hold Fritzl for an extended pre-trial period. The retired electrician, Fritzl, had allegedly confessed to imprisoning his daughter for 24-years and fathered seven children with her in a windowless cell in Amstetten, Austria. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

The ruling was made during a routine, closed-door session required under Austrian law and will be re-evaluated in a month.

Fritzl has been detained since April 26 on the suspicion he locked up his daughter Elisabeth for 24 years and fathered seven children with her. Authorities say he has confessed. He first appeared before a judge on April 28.

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