The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is no longer under round-the-clock police surveillance after a German court dismissed an application to extend the measure. Convicted rapist and paedophile Christian Brueckner, who has never been charged over Madeleine's disappearance, will see the constant monitoring end tonight.
Background to the case
Brueckner was freed from jail last September after serving a seven-year prison sentence for raping an elderly woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2005. Madeleine, then aged three, vanished from the same resort two years later in 2007, shortly after she was left sleeping by her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, who went for dinner in a nearby restaurant.
Since his release, Brueckner had been closely monitored by German police because of his suspected involvement in her abduction and his assessment as being at high risk of reoffending. However, a new psychological and psychiatric assessment has concluded that he poses an average risk of reoffending, leading the court to dismiss the police application.
Lawyer's response
Brueckner's lawyer, Philipp Marquort, told ITV News that his client is 'very happy' with the development. He will still have to wear an electronic ankle tag and comply with other restrictions.
Mr Marquort said: 'Anyone who has served their sentence in full must be given the chance to rebuild a life in freedom. For thirteen months, that was impossible with police officers following his every step. Now my client can begin.'
Ongoing investigation
Brueckner remains the prime suspect in both the German and British investigations into Madeleine's disappearance. He refused to speak to the Metropolitan Police after UK investigators sent an international letter asking to speak to him on his release. Reports in the German media said he had refused to undergo therapy while in custody and that a recent psychiatric report concluded he was likely to commit further crimes.
A number of searches have been carried out by German, Portuguese and British authorities since Madeleine's disappearance, with the latest taking place near the Portuguese municipality of Lagos in June. In 2023, investigators carried out searches near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz. Brueckner spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017 and had photographs and videos of himself near the reservoir. In October last year, the suspect was cleared by a German court of unrelated sexual offences, alleged to have taken place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.
