The prime suspect in the case of Madeleine McCann's disappearance, Christian Brückner, is set to be released from prison in less than three weeks, according to local authorities in Germany. Brückner, a convicted rapist, is currently serving time in northern Germany but will be released by September 17, 2025, at the latest, the lead prosecutor, Hans Christian Wolters, confirmed to the BBC.
Despite being the key suspect in the ongoing investigation into the 2007 disappearance of the three-year-old British girl, Brückner has never been charged in connection with her case and maintains his innocence. He was convicted of rape in Portugal, where he was also implicated in several other criminal activities. Brückner, 48, had been living in the Algarve region of Portugal at the time of Madeleine’s disappearance.
Madeleine McCann vanished from an apartment complex in Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007, while her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were dining nearby. Despite periodic checks on their children, it was Kate McCann who discovered Madeleine was missing shortly after 10:00 PM. The case quickly became one of the most high-profile missing persons investigations in Europe.
German prosecutors have pointed to circumstantial evidence suggesting Brückner’s presence in the area at the time of Madeleine's disappearance. However, Wolters clarified that while Brückner is considered the only suspect in the case, the evidence gathered so far does not meet the threshold required to charge him formally.
“We have evidence that speaks against Brückner, which suggests he may be responsible for Madeleine’s disappearance and death,” Wolters said. “However, we do not yet have enough evidence to secure a conviction or apply for an arrest warrant.”
Despite these legal challenges, Wolters emphasized that the investigation remains active. In light of Brückner’s imminent release, German authorities are exploring options to place restrictions on him, including the possibility of an ankle bracelet. A court hearing, which will be closed to the public, will decide whether these measures will be applied.
Brückner’s criminal history includes multiple convictions, notably for sexually abusing children in 1994 and 2016. His connection to the Algarve region, where he spent several years, has been a focal point of the investigation. Authorities have also linked Brückner’s mobile phone activity and a car sale to the case.
In addition to Brückner’s ongoing incarceration for the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old American tourist in Portugal, Portuguese and German authorities recently conducted a renewed search in areas connected to Brückner. However, no significant breakthroughs have been made.
Wolters acknowledged that after five years of investigations, the case could be seen as losing momentum, but he reassured the public that authorities would not have taken such a strong stance against Brückner without substantial reason. “We would not have made these claims five years ago without credible evidence to support them,” he asserted.
Despite no formal charges being laid, both German and Portuguese authorities continue to investigate, with the hope that further evidence may soon come to light.
Source: theghanareport.com
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