Josef Fritzl, pictured during his trial in 2009, has been ‘spotted at cafes near his prison’ (Picture: Getty Images)

Josef Fritzl, who kept his daughter locked in a cellar for 24 years, has been spotted in cafés near his prison, it’s been claimed.

The 88-year-old has been seen by several people drinking coffee at different spots in Krems an der Donau, Austria, according to local media reports.

Fritzl, one of the most notorious criminals in Europe, was jailed for life in 2009 after admitting he had held his daughter Elisabeth prisoner for over two decades and fathered seven children with her.

Life in Austria is classed as 15 years and as all prisoners can apply for conditional release at the end of their sentence, with Fritzl eligible for parole in March.

It is normal practice in the country to allow long-term prisoners out for supervised short trips in the lead-up to a release, to get them acclimatised to the outside world.

Regional weekly newspaper Bezirksblatt reported that Fritzl ‘has been seen in different cafes of Krems,’ close to Stein Prison, a high-security facility for mentally ill criminals where he is held.

An editor at the paper, who has been covering Fritzl’s case for many years, said: ‘It is true. I’ve been told by several people I fully trust that they have seen him.

Elisabeth in a school photo at the age of 15, the last picture of her before she went missing

Fritzl seen in prison (Picture: CEN)

‘It’s not as if just one resident has been convinced they saw Fritzl,’ the woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said. ‘I’ve got this information from several trusted acquaintances independently from each other.’

Judicial officials have refused to comment on the reports.

Inmates up for parole can be freed depending on their conduct and mental and physical condition.

Fritz is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and is believed to be frail, needing the help of a walking frame to get around.

According to reports, he has asked to be released early on several occasions over the last two years.

Krems an der Donau where Fritzl has reportedly been seen in cafés (Picture: Newsflash)

His lawyer, Astrid Wagner, who published a book last year based on letters he’s written, said he could potentially be moved to a care home.

She added: ‘I personally see a chance for release. He fulfills all the criteria.

‘This man is almost 90 years old and his mental condition is deteriorating. He is in need of support and care.’

She revealed that on recent visits to see her client, it’s been possible to ‘normally communicate with him most of the time’.

‘However, there are these odd lapses,’ she added. ‘One day he told me how happy he was about his daughter’s marriage to Boris Becker.

The house where Fritzl locked his daughter in the basement for 24 years (Picture: East News/Shutterstock)

Inside the cellar Elisabeth and three of her children were kept (Picture: AFP/GETTY Images)

‘The next time I saw him, he told me they had broken up.’

Ms Wagner has previously told local media, Fritzl is ‘polite and very charming.

She added: ‘Joseph Fritzl is only human, not a beast. He is a man who has not mastered his inner demons.’

Fritzl locked his daughter in the basement of the family home in Amstetten in 1984 and kept her there for the following 24 years while he and his wife Rosemarie lived above.

He frequently raped her, fathering seven children.

One died at birth after breathing difficulties, three lived in the cellar with Elisabeth and three lived with Fritzl and Rosemarie.

Fritzl was sentenced to life, which is 15 years in Austria (Picture: APA via Getty Images)

Fritzl was arrested in 2008 after the family, including Elisabeth, visited Elisabeth’s oldest daughter in hospital and police became suspicious.

He pleaded guilty to rape, false imprisonment, manslaughter by negligence and incest the following year.

Elisabeth has since changed her name and received support from authorities to protect her identity and the wellbeing of her children.

Several people on social media have expressed their shock and anger that Fritzl has been allowed out for coffee and could soon be released.

One, Karin Strasser, wrote: ‘Day parole after such an atrocious crime? This is totally incomprehensible…’

Fritzl filmed on holiday in Thailand (Picture: BILD)

Wird Sein, meanwhile, posted: ‘It’s irrelevant whether someone is still posing a threat or not. The crime has to be punished.’

‘He does not regret anything. His daughter was imprisoned for 24 years. He served just 15 years in a rather comfy prison cell.’

And Andrea Breithuber wrote: ‘I’m sickened by the fact that this creature is allowed to walk around. What has become of our country?’

In Ms Wagner’s book, called The Abysses of Josef F, Fritzl described himself as a ‘responsible family man’ and ‘good person’.

He also boasted of receiving hundreds of letters from swooning female fans.

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The 88-year-old has been seen by several people drinking coffee at different spots in Krems an der Donau, Austria, according to local media reports.