In a dramatic twist that could unravel the entire investigation, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, Christian Brueckner, may have a credible alibi placing him miles away from the fateful holiday apartment.
German prosecutors, who have long insisted they have concrete evidence of Brueckner's guilt, have been forced to reveal a statement from a key witness. This individual claims Brueckner was with him at a flea market in the city of Almancil, a full 30 miles from Praia da Luz, on the evening of May 3rd, 2007.
A Case Built on Digital Footprints
The core of the prosecution's case has hinged on mobile phone data. They allege a mobile phone registered to Brueckner received a call and pinged a cell tower in the Praia da Luz area around the time Madeleine vanished.
This digital breadcrumb trail has been the cornerstone of the belief that he was in the immediate vicinity. However, the emergence of this witness testimony directly contradicts this technical evidence, throwing the timeline into disarray.
The Witness and the Flea Market
The witness, whose identity remains protected, has provided a detailed account. He states he was with Brueckner at the Mercado da Esperança in Almancil until at least 9:30 PM that night.
If verified, this would make it nearly impossible for Brueckner to have been in Praia da Luz to abduct Madeleine, who was discovered missing just after 10:00 PM. The distance and travel time between the two locations present a significant logistical challenge to the prosecution's narrative.
Prosecution's Stance and Mounting Pressure
Despite this potentially exonerating evidence, German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters maintains his belief in Brueckner's guilt. He has publicly dismissed the alibi, stating he does not believe the witness's account is truthful.
This stance is facing increasing scrutiny. Brueckner's defence team is leveraging this new information, arguing it completely dismantles the case against their client. The pressure is now on German authorities to either disprove the alibi or re-evaluate their entire investigation.
The revelation sends shockwaves through a case that has captivated the world for over 17 years. For Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, it represents another painful and confusing development in their long and agonising search for answers.
