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18. 03. 10. - 15:00

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18. 03. 10. - 15:00

Fritzls prison friends: Monsters Inc

Kathryn Quinn

Cellar monster Josef Fritzl has made his first pal in prison - a notorious killer serving life for slaughtering seven helpless victims.

Before Fritzl, cold-blooded Harald Sassak was Austria's most notorious killer - dubbed The Gasman because he posed as an energy firm worker.

He brutally throttled seven pensioners to death and raped one before ransacking their homes for cash and jewellery.

Fritzl - serving life for killing one of the seven children he fathered by his daughter Elisabeth during her 24 years as his sex slave - is said to have formed a close bond with the monster at the maximum security Stein jail in Krems.

Pervert Frizl, 74, has also palled up with triple killer Guenter Lorenz - who shot two women and a man in a gruesome execution - and former Olympic skater Wolfgang Schwarz who trafficked young girls into prostitution.

"They are quite a grim little gang. No-one is in here because they're an angel, but this lot are the dregs of the world," said one prison officer.

Jail bosses say Fritzl has become a model prisoner since he was imprisoned for life a year ago.

Prison general lieutenant Peter Prechtl told local media: "He is unobtrusive and has adapted well to day to day schedules."

Fritzl spends his days working as a cleaner and helps hand out meals in the prison canteen on his wing where he earns 120 GBP a month to spend on luxuries in the jail shop.

But he is so broke that he's been sending begging letters to his family for cash to spend on special shampoo for his hair replacement plugs.

Health minister considers taxing fast food and beer
The new Health Minister Vasile Cepoi said today (Thurs) that the next Health Care Law might include a new tax on fast food and beer, local press informs.

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Government to introduce ‘Robin Hood’ tax on oil companies
Minister of Economy Daniel Chitoiu announced today (Weds) that the government is working on a piece of legislation on introducing a supplementary tax on the exceptional incomes of the oil companies that should be passed by the year end and implemented as of 2013.

Education Minister stepps down amid plagiarism accusations
Ioan Mang, the education minister appointed only two weeks ago together with the new cabinet of Social Liberal Union (USL) leader Victor Ponta, resigned Tuesday (yesterday) night.

Brancusi’s son doesn’t want his father remains to be moved to Romania
John Moore, the only child of sculpture Constantin Brancusi, reacted to Romania’s intention to repatriate the remains of his father, saying his last will was to be buried in Paris at Montparnasse, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Weds).

Romania back in recession, growth to resume in H2
Romania officially entered recession today, following the figures published by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) that show a decrease of the GDP for two consecutive quarters (Q).

Police head sacked over underground boss runaway row
The head of the Romanian Police Liviu Popa (picture) was sacked today (Tues) by Home Affairs Minister Ioan Rus, the ministry informs.

UK Ambassador Harris says new Cabinet took right decisions so far
The UK Ambassaodr in Romania, Martin Harris says Victor Ponta’s new government got off on the right foot by making clear that its economic policy will continue to be framed within the programme agreed between Romania and the EU, World Bank, and IMF.

Carmen Sylvas x-rayed hand to be auctioned
A x-ray of the left hand of Romanian Queen Elisabeta will be auctioned in Bucharest by Artmark auction house, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Tue).