Read the full text of Josef Fritzl's statement

Josef Fritzl, who has confessed to imprisoning his daughter in a cellar beneath his house, has been remanded in custody for an extra month by an Austrian judge.

After spending almost two weeks on remand Fritzl, 73, who shocked the world when the secrets of the cellar were revealed, reportedly declared his wish to receive visits from his wife, Rosemarie, whom he “loved”.

Fritzl was arrested last month on suspicion of locking up his daughter Elisabeth for 24 years and fathering her seven children.

Commentary: a society that nurtures secrets

What society would accept the probability of three children being left on the doorstep of Josef F and grant him adoption?

Multimedia

• Pictures: house of horror

BACKGROUND

• Why are child abuse scandals happening in Austria?

• Analysis: damage caused may never be healed

• Brutal double-life of Josef Fritzl emerges

• Police search other Fritzl properties in Austria

Related Links

• Why he did it: Joseph Fritzl's statement

• Fritzl 'began building cellar in 1978'

• Fritzl 'insanity plea' to dodge prison

His lawyer, Rudolf Mayer, said he had expected the ruling and did not object to it.

Court spokesman Franz Cutka said the order was made during a routine, closed-door session required under Austrian law and will be looked at again next month.

Prosecutors say Fritzl confessed to locking up his daughter and repeatedly raping her.

Investigators say he told them three of the children were raised in a windowless converted cellar at his home in Amstetten, Austria, three others were brought up above ground, and one died in infancy.

DNA tests have confirmed Fritzl is the biological father.

Chief investigator Franz Polzer said his team was making good progress, but it would likely still take some time before the entire property and its contents were thoroughly examined and analysed.

“We have already come very far,” he said.

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