Madeleine McCann: German prosecutors urge UK to reopen case before prime suspect walks free
Madeline CoveThe Nightly
Madeleine McCann case desperately requested to be reopened by German prosecutors as suspect is set to walk free. Credit: The Nightly
Madeleine McCann was three years old when she vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007, which has sparked one of the most high-profile missing persons cases in the world.
German investigators are pushing for British police to reopen the live case and ramp up their efforts in the Madeleine McCann case, warning that time is running out before their prime suspect, Christian Brueckner, is released from prison.
Brueckner, a convicted paedophile, is set to walk free on September 17 after completing his sentence for rape.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms[1] and Privacy Policy[2].With just 19 weeks left, German authorities are urging the Met Police's Operation Grange team to play a more active role in the case, beyond their current duties of handling tip-offs and hotline calls.
A source familiar with the case said, "There is huge interest in Germany in the British stepping up their investigation again. The clock is against the case here, and investigators do not want to see Brueckner walk free."
German prosecutors fear an appeal to keep Brueckner behind bars may not succeed in time.
As a backup, they are preparing to charge him over Madeleine's 2007 disappearance in Praia da Luz, Portugal. However, concerns remain that the lack of forensic evidence could hinder prosecution -- especially after Brueckner was previously cleared of separate child abuse and rape claims.
Authorities in Germany say they are ready to provide full cooperation, including translating up to 20,000 pages of evidence for UK detectives.
A source confirmed, "Their best option could be intervention from UK cops -- but they have to be prepared to take it on."
The renewed push follows a new investigation by The Sun[3], which revealed disturbing new material allegedly found at Brueckner's hideout in Germany.
The discovery reportedly included child-abduction stories written by Brueckner, as well as unsettling Skype chats with other paedophiles.
Also uncovered were children's swimming costumes, toys, firearms, ammunition, and chemicals, along with photos of Brueckner, some nude, taken at the Arade Dam, a location previously searched in the investigation.
Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, were informed of the findings prior to publication.
While the Met continues to treat Madeleine's case as a missing person investigation, German prosecutors maintain they have "physical" evidence she is dead.
Last October, lead prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters publicly stated that authorities believe Brueckner kidnapped and murdered the young girl, a stance that remains unchanged.
Operation Grange was recently granted GBP108,000 (£A24 thousand) in public funding to continue for another year.
The Met said it remains open to receiving and reviewing new evidence.
A spokesperson for the force stated: "We continue to support Madeleine's family to understand what happened on the evening of May 3 2007, in Praia da Luz.
This includes working with our colleagues in Germany and Portugal.
Our thoughts remain with the family."
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