Vienna: Austrian authorities say a man accused of imprisoning his daughter as a sex slave for 24 years will probably go on trial next year.

Officials say they are still preparing the indictment against suspect Josef Fritzl but time is running out for a trial to start before Dec 31.

Prosecutor Gerhard Sedlacek says investigators are still gathering statements and other evidence against the 73 year old Fritzl. Police say he imprisoned his daughter, who is now 42, when she was 18 and fathered her seven children.

Sedlacek said today there's still a chance the trial will begin in December but that it seems more likely the proceedings will start early in 2009.

Fritzl released his victims in April.
Source : PTI