Christian Brueckner, the lead suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, is due to return to court for the retrial of a rape case he was cleared of two years ago. The 50-year-old has been ordered to appear before appeal Judge Loisa Bartel in Leipzig, Germany, next year.
Retrial ordered after 2024 acquittal
The judge will hear that Brueckner should not have been cleared over the rape of an Irish woman in 2024. He walked free last year following the verdict. A letter issued by the court said "criminal proceedings for aggravated rape among other offences" were due to go ahead on Monday, January 11, 2027.
Brueckner was released in 2025 after serving his seven-year sentence for the 2005 rape of an American woman in Portugal. He remains a prime suspect in Madeleine's disappearance, though he has not been charged over it.
Investigators see 'gamechanger'
"For those who want to see Brueckner charged over Madeleine, this new court date is a gamechanger," a source told The Sun. Investigators who allege Brueckner is involved with Madeleine's disappearance could see the German back behind bars.
"The way the German system works means every part of the original trial will be considered, and the judge overseeing it is incredibly sharp," the source added. "She will miss nothing. Maddie investigators realise for the first time, there is a genuine will to see a retrial and for something to be done about Brueckner."
Prosecutors consider Madeleine case
German prosecutors reportedly believe a rape conviction could lead officials to prosecute Brueckner over Madeleine's disappearance. Little Madeleine vanished from a holiday flat in Praia da Luz, in Portugal, on May 3, 2007. She disappeared from her bed while her parents Kate and Gerry were with friends at a nearby restaurant in the resort area.
Brueckner has previously denied being involved in her disappearance. He remains a prime suspect with German and British investigators.
