Christian Bruckner, a 45-year-old German citizen convicted pedophile, was first identified as a suspect in the summer of 2020, but is now officially named in the case.
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Madeleine McCann: Bruckner’s motivations discussed by an expert
German pedophile Christian Bruckner has been officially named as a suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance for the first time.
He was identified as an official suspect by Portuguese authorities yesterday, the 43-year-old’s lawyers confirmed.
It is believed that this move, which turned Bruckner into an “argument” (defendant), is related to the upcoming 15th anniversary of the abduction of the young girl.
Maddie’s parents, Kate and Gary, both 48, were forced to quarrel in September 2007.
But their status was revoked in July 2008, when Portuguese police archived the investigation.
This has important legal implications, as while in Germany there is no time limit for a charge of murder, in Portugal there is a strict 15-year period.
Madeleine McCann (
Image:
PA)
This move allows the investigation to continue.
Bruckner’s lawyer, Friedrich Fulcher, said: “The step taken by the Portuguese authorities should not be overestimated.
“Without knowing in detail the legal situation in Portugal, I assume that this measure is a procedural art to stop the statute of limitations, which threatens in a few days.
The 45-year-old man was first identified as a prime suspect by German police in the summer of 2020 after cell phone recordings placed him in Praia da Luz on the night Maddie went missing.
But despite further in-depth investigations, he was never charged.
Kate and Gary McCann (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Portuguese authorities have recently confirmed that they will continue their investigations amid reports that the investigation into Operation Grange in Scotland Yard will be completed this autumn.
Bruckner is currently serving a sentence of rape in a high-security prison in Oldenburg, northwest Germany.
He also faces charges of raping Irish national Hazel Behan in Portugal in 2004.
The German newspaper Bild has revealed the latest developments in the long-standing mystery.
Maddie disappeared from a holiday apartment in May 2007 because her parents from Rotley, Lakes, were enjoying tapas nearby.
All this comes after fears that the 15-year limit on prosecution means that the perpetrators behind Maddie’s disappearance may have missed it.
Bruckner has long been the prime suspect in the case (
Image:
Daily Mirror) Police photo of Christian Bruckner (
Image:
Carabinieri Milan via Getty Images)
McCann family lawyer Rogerio Alves warned in July 2020 that the restriction meant they were running out of time to take action.
Earlier, The Mirror reported that Bruckner’s former friends suspected him of being behind the disappearance.
The Christian Post said it believed his ex-boyfriend had kidnapped Maddie.
The 54-year-old said Bruckner would boast of looted holiday apartments during chilling “night walks” around the Portuguese resort.
He described how the main suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance had up to 100 passports from properties he attacked.
He also admitted that he regretted not reporting his crimes to police, but insisted he was ready to try to help bring him to justice for the missing young child.
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