By Europe correspondent Greg Milam

As more and more details from the Fritzl household emerge, the people of Amstetten want the international notoriety to go away.

Last night, 500 people turned up at the town’s main square with a number of messages. There was support for the victims of Josef Fritzl, support for each other and a plea for the world’s media to leave them alone.

A banner made by the town’s schoolchildren carried messages like: “Wishing you strength on your path through life", "We're with you" and "It was hell for you, now we wish you lots of sunlight."

But there were other messages, critical of the media and of Austrian society. "Our society is built on arrogance, ignorance and selfishness," read one. "The media is reporting even though it has nothing more to report," said another.

The rally was organised show that the town is “ready to move on”. Margarete Reisinger said: "I'm here because this was one man and it now reflects on all of us. I'm proud to be from Amstetten. The name is mentioned all the time and is now being discredited. We must remember he was not a normal man."

"We in Amstetten can't help that we had such a person among us, but the whole world is watching us," added Robert Schiller.

The case has been particularly hard to take for Amstetten’s schoolchildren, many of whom knew the Fritzl’s “upstairs children”.

"It's a huge topic at the moment among the kids, they're all deeply affected," said Margit Schagerl, a teacher at the local school.

City spokesman Hermann Gruber told the crowd: "This Amstetten we see today, that's the real Amstetten."

The latest revelations in the Austrian newspapers include letters that Elisabeth Fritzl wrote a few months before she was locked up in the cellar.

She told a friend: "After the exams... I'm moving in with my sister and her boyfriend." In another she wrote: "When you get this letter, it will all be over. I'll give you my new address as soon as I've moved."

We now know that Elisabeth had already been suffering sexual abuse by her father for years.

Comments

[Yildiz Istanbul May 13, 2008 5:43:17 AM]

How did J.F. carry 200 tonnes of earth, all building materials? Washer, sinks etc.,
We all should be glad that J.F is being tested for his sanity. if he's not mentally disable that means his answers can be trusted. He needs to confess to a lot more. If he had accomplices, they have to be punished as well. When all secrets revealed, YES,THEN EXECUTE HIM!!

[Mel memphis, tn May 12, 2008 8:20:49 AM]

Absolutely, this could happen anywhere on earth. The problem lies with the monster.
I am deeply impressed with Elizabeth that she survived and that she is a caring mother.
I am deeply moved by this story.

[Julie, Ohio, America May 10, 2008 2:12:12 PM]

I agree with Jacqueline. We need to pray for for this family and send money to help them. The folks of Amstetten are to be applauded for the way that they are reaching out to Elizabeth and her family. We should encourage Amstetten in every way that we can to bind up their wounds and learn from this. This is a time of healing.

[Phil - Aberdeen May 10, 2008 1:47:27 AM]

You shouldn't run an article that poses a question without also including a poll so that people can easily lodge their "answer" to that question.
Stories like this have to have maximum exposure so that perhaps it can avoid similar things happening - or lead to them being discovered - therefore Amstetten shouldn't be left alone.

[wright notts May 9, 2008 10:55:05 PM]

how can this piece of **** be called an animals animals would never do a thing like this the best thing for him would be to put in a cellar with nthe cellar door locked bolted and sealed up with no food or water able to get to him so he dehdrates and dies from starvation and thirst

[Khalid May 8, 2008 9:02:27 AM]

Sir
With all due respect to the people of Austria & Europe, these are indeed times of disbelief, however, in contrast to events within Portugal most recent, the fact that this parent kept his daughter safe is one such positive, however not in the slightest a matter to be proud of.
It sickens the mind to think that not only did this monster father his daughters' children, but led a life of riley thereafter.
Today, Sky viewers saw televised pictures of another hapless couple wandering along as if nothing was wrong with their emotive parental instincts and I urge the EU parliament to not only sentence these monsters to life (or death as pleded) but to put an end to this most perverse of childminding activity that continually goes without punishment thus making a mockery of all decent folk.
Austria should remain proud of its culture, as it is not Austria at fault but one or two perverse individuals.
In the case of the latter, [Silence Must be Heard] so we can concentrate on real [Enigma] and not showmanship!

[Patricia Mushashu, Zambia Lusaka May 8, 2008 6:37:42 AM]

That man is an animal which needs to be hanged or thrown in cellar and throw away the key of the cellar, he's not normal, how can he do such a horrible thing to his own blood daughter. I feel like killing him with my bare hands.
Patricia

[jacqueline France May 8, 2008 6:30:37 AM]

This is not about Amstetten, it is about Elisabeth, her children, her mother and all those who love her all over the world. We need to pray for them. We have to thank the people of Amstetten for
all what they are doing for Elisabeth and her children.We have to thank the people of Amstetten for all the love they are giving. Jacqueline.