The trial of Christian Brueckner, the man German prosecutors believe is responsible for the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, was rocked by a stunning outburst on Wednesday. While facing charges for unrelated sex crimes, Brueckner leapt to his feet and vehemently denied any involvement in the British toddler's fate, screaming that she is still alive.
The 47-year-old German national is currently on trial in Braunschweig for five distinct offences, including three allegations of rape and two of sexual abuse, which are unrelated to the McCann case. However, the shadow of the unsolved mystery loomed large in the courtroom.
According to reports from inside the proceedings, Brueckner's eruption was sudden and explosive. He yelled across the room, directly addressing the public prosecutor who was presenting evidence. His shocking declaration, "The girl is not dead!", sent a ripple through the proceedings, forcing the judge to intervene and call for order.
This is not the first time Brueckner has made such a claim. In a series of bizarre letters sent from his prison cell, he has previously insisted that Madeleine is alive. However, this is the first time he has voiced the assertion so publicly and with such violent emotion in a formal legal setting.
Brueckner's defence team has consistently argued that their client is being unfairly scapegoated by authorities desperate to solve the high-profile disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. They maintain that the intense media focus and public pressure have prejudiced his right to a fair trial on the current charges.
The dramatic incident is sure to fuel further speculation and global media attention around one of the world's most famous missing person cases. Investigators officially named Brueckner as their prime suspect in 2022, but he has yet to be charged in connection with Madeleine's disappearance.
The trial in Braunschweig continues.
