In a significant development, German authorities have formally rejected a bid for early release by Christian Brueckner, the man identified as the prime suspect in the infamous 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann.
Brueckner, 47, is currently serving a seven-year sentence in a prison in Braunschweig, Germany, for the brutal 2005 rape of a 72-year-old American tourist in Praia da Luz, Portugal—the same resort from which Madeleine vanished.
The application for conditional release was dismissed by the regional court in Braunschweig. A court spokeswoman confirmed the decision, stating that Brueckner had not served the mandatory two-thirds of his sentence required for such consideration. His current release date remains set for the latter part of 2026.
This legal setback for Brueckner occurs amidst an ongoing and separate investigation into him for the abduction and murder of Madeleine McCann. German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters has publicly stated that investigators are "100 percent convinced" Brueckner is responsible for the crime, though he has yet to be formally charged. The investigation, which has captivated international attention for over 17 years, continues.
Brueckner has a long and disturbing criminal history spanning decades, including convictions for child sexual abuse and drug trafficking. He has consistently denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.
