Christian Brueckner, the convicted sex offender identified as the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has declared his intention to leave Germany following a significant court decision.
The Upper Regional Court of Celle recently ruled that certain security restrictions imposed on him were partially unlawful, a development that deals a fresh blow to Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann.
Court Ruling Paves the Way for Departure
Brueckner, who has been living in a tent in a forest in northern Germany since his release from prison in September 2024, is now preparing to move abroad. The court judgement, obtained by the Sunday Mirror, stated that the law does not authorise confining his right of supervision to Germany.
Specifically, the court found that he cannot be ordered to live at a particular place within the country under threat of punishment. However, the court upheld the requirement for Brueckner to wear an electronic ankle tag for the next five years, allowing authorities to monitor his movements 24/7, though the device is understood to be ineffective if he leaves Germany.
Funding an Escape Through Donations
Currently receiving unemployment benefits, Brueckner is reportedly planning to finance his relocation by launching a website to solicit donations from supporters. He has suggested that even local residents, who have been protesting his presence in their city, might contribute to effectively rid themselves of him.
In a conversation with a friend, Brueckner said, "I just need to get some money together. And if people want me to leave then they make this possible by helping me to this end." He expressed his belief that the legal basis for keeping him in Germany was flawed, stating, "It's clear I don't even have to stay here and never did."
A Long-Standing Investigation and Local Fury
Brueckner was released from jail on September 17, 2024, after serving a seven-year sentence for the 2005 rape of an American pensioner in Praia da Luz, Portugal. German prosecutors have named him as the main suspect in the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann from the same Algarve resort in 2007. He has never been charged in connection with her case and continues to deny any involvement.
His presence in Germany has sparked significant local anger, with one protest drawing over 150 people. Brueckner bizarrely claimed credit for these demonstrations, suggesting they were making the city safer by energising demands for better policing. His potential destinations remain unclear, but his lawyer has previously mentioned countries with no extradition treaties with Germany or the UK, such as Suriname.
