Austrian Father Who Imprisoned His Daughter for 24 Years Could Be Granted Parole

Austrian Man Josef Fritzl Held His Daughter Captive for 24 Years, Fathering Seven Children with Her

Lawyer Says Fritzl Could Be Granted Parole Despite Heinous Crimes

An Austrian man who imprisoned his daughter for 24 years and fathered seven children with her could be granted parole, according to his lawyer. Josef Fritzl, now 73, was sentenced to life in prison in 2009 for holding his daughter, Elisabeth, captive in a basement dungeon beneath their home in Amstetten, Austria.

Fritzl's lawyer, Manfred Arbacher, told the Austrian newspaper Kurier that his client has been a model prisoner and has expressed remorse for his crimes. He added that Fritzl has undergone therapy and has a low risk of reoffending.

Elisabeth Fritzl's lawyer, Christoph Herbst, said he would oppose any attempt to grant Fritzl parole. He said that Fritzl's crimes were "heinous" and that he should never be allowed to leave prison.