Hazel Behan, the Irish woman who accuses Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner of rape, has received fresh hope as a German court is set to hear prosecutors' arguments for a retrial.
Brueckner was cleared of the rape charge in 2024, but Behan had hoped prosecutors in Germany would secure a hearing to make their case for a retrial. The hearing has now been approved and is scheduled to take place in January next year, according to the Irish Mirror.
Prosecutors to present case
Prosecutors will be given the opportunity to present their reasons why the court should reconsider the rape allegations, with a judge then determining whether to allow the case to proceed or uphold the acquittal.
The development has offered hope to Behan, who believes Brueckner raped her while she was on holiday in Portugal in 2004, three years before Madeleine disappeared, that her case may be reheard.
When approached by the Irish Mirror, Behan refused to comment on the latest development, stating she had been advised not to speak publicly for legal reasons.
Allegations and recognition
Behan made headlines around the world after she accused Brueckner, who is suspected of abducting and killing British toddler Madeleine, of being the man who broke into her apartment in Portugal, where she alleges he tied her up and violently raped her at knifepoint in 2004.
She claims she recognised Brueckner as her masked attacker by his distinctive eyes when his mugshot was released in 2020, and subsequently contacted Operation Grange. German prosecutors are now set to appeal after Brueckner was acquitted on the matter.
Fear and advocacy
Speaking to the Irish Mirror previously, Behan, who has become a strong advocate for abuse survivors, said she is now living in fear all over again due to Brueckner's release from prison.
"In regard to the pending release of the man I believe raped me in 2004 - this has left me struggling to put into words how I feel. I thought I had moved forward, but the news has forced me to take a massive step backwards - my faith in justice has, once again, been shaken," Behan said.
"The most overwhelming feeling I have right now is fear. Fear for myself, fear for the other people who believe he harmed them. Fear for the safety of our communities, and particularly for women and girls."
Citing how experts have described Brueckner - who denies killing Madeleine - as a "psychopath", Behan said she fears it is likely he will re-offend.
Ongoing impact
The now Mullingar resident, who has since set up a support and advocacy organisation for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, Éist, says the terror of the attack she suffered back in 2004 hasn't gone away.
"I am not alone in this. Hundreds of thousands of victims and survivors live with this uncertainty and fear every day: the person they believe harmed them not being investigated, not convicted, or being released from custody. That reality silences people, it deters reporting, and it prevents survivors from accessing the support and justice they deserve."
"Right now I have very little hope, but I am doing my best to hold on to what I have left. I remain open to the possibility that another jurisdiction may take up a case and that the pursuit of justice might continue. Until then, I will continue to speak out about the harm caused by gender-based violence and the urgent need for a justice system and a society that protects survivors, listens to them, and prevents further harm."
Behan also became subject to horrific abuse online.
Online abuse concerns
Speaking about the horrendous ordeal she said: "While I consider myself a strong person, I am also human, and naturally, reading such comments is hurtful. Many of those who post these remarks believe they understand my experience, when in reality they do not. I know my truth, and I stand confidently in it."
"What has struck me most throughout this experience, however, is the broader issue it highlights: the abuse faced online by victims and survivors of rape and all forms of sexual violence. These harmful narratives, often fuelled by certain online 'celebrity influencers' who normalise or encourage such behaviour, reflect a dangerous trend in our society."
"Their influence emboldens others to believe that posting hate-fuelled attacks against a woman who has survived violent rape is somehow acceptable."
Behan says she and many others have grown concerned at the level of hatred on social media - directed at survivors of abuse.
"I want to be clear: I fully respect people's right to share opinions. But when it comes to rape and gender-based violence, sensitivity and respect are not optional-they are essential."
"Too often, those who hide behind a keyboard disregard the profound harm their words cause. I would ask them to reflect on whether they would say the same things if such violence had been inflicted on someone they love," she said.
"The most concerning consequence of this culture of online abuse is the impact it has on other victims and survivors. When they witness the way survivors are treated publicly, many may feel too afraid or discouraged to report crimes committed against them. This silencing effect denies them the care, support, and justice they so deeply deserve."
"This is not just about me. It is about the urgent need for meaningful societal change. We must confront and challenge the normalisation of abuse-online and offline-so that survivors of sexual violence can step forward without fear of further victimisation."
German Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters has repeatedly stated that Brueckner is the "prime suspect" and that he remains "the only suspect" they have in the Madeleine McCann case.
However, authorities in Germany have been unable to charge the sex offender despite their claims - and he has served his seven-year sentence for a separate rape charge.
