Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley has stated that British authorities will explore the possibility of extraditing Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, to the UK to face trial. Brückner, a 49-year-old German national, was released from prison in Germany on Wednesday after serving a seven-year sentence for the rape of an elderly woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2005.
Rowley confirmed that Brückner remains a suspect in the UK investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, which occurred in 2007 while she was on holiday with her family in the same Portuguese town. The Met has been formally involved in the case since 2011, supporting Portuguese and German authorities. German prosecutors have been unable to gather sufficient evidence to charge Brückner under German law.
Speaking to reporters, Rowley noted that murder is an extraterritorial offence in many situations, meaning a British subject could potentially be charged in the UK. He acknowledged that there are 'hundreds of questions' and that the Met is currently taking stock with German and Portuguese police. Brückner has denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance and refused a request from the Met to be interviewed.
Nick Vamos, former head of extradition at the Crown Prosecution Service, said extradition is feasible but requires enough evidence to charge before proceeding. Rowley also highlighted the Met's efforts to root out corruption, noting that 1,400 officers have been dismissed during his tenure.
