The prime suspect in the high-profile case of Madeleine McCann's disappearance has declined to be interviewed by the Metropolitan Police, the force has said. The Met stated that a request for the interview was submitted to Christian Brückner, ahead of his expected release for a separate offense, but he rejected it.
German national Brückner, 49, has never been charged in relation to the McCann case and denies any involvement. Madeleine vanished in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz in 2007, where she and her siblings were left sleeping in a holiday apartment while their parents, Kate and Gerry, dined nearby. They had checked on the children periodically until Kate discovered Madeleine was missing around 10 PM.
Brückner is currently serving a seven-year sentence in Germany for the rape of a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005. German authorities have also indicated he will be released by Wednesday. Det Ch Insp Mark Cranwell from the Metropolitan Police mentioned that Brückner remains a suspect in the investigation.
'We have requested an interview with this German suspect, but for legal reasons, this can only be done via an International Letter of Request,' Cranwell said. He noted that the request was refused by Brückner. Despite this setback, the police will continue pursuing other viable leads in the case.
Madeleine McCann's disappearance is one of the most prominent unsolved cases worldwide. Prosecutors have cited evidence suggesting that Brückner was in the area when she disappeared and express belief that he may be responsible, though insufficient evidence exists to charge him directly. Despite several searches conducted this year, investigators have yet to uncover significant breakthroughs related to the case.
German national Brückner, 49, has never been charged in relation to the McCann case and denies any involvement. Madeleine vanished in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz in 2007, where she and her siblings were left sleeping in a holiday apartment while their parents, Kate and Gerry, dined nearby. They had checked on the children periodically until Kate discovered Madeleine was missing around 10 PM.
Brückner is currently serving a seven-year sentence in Germany for the rape of a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005. German authorities have also indicated he will be released by Wednesday. Det Ch Insp Mark Cranwell from the Metropolitan Police mentioned that Brückner remains a suspect in the investigation.
'We have requested an interview with this German suspect, but for legal reasons, this can only be done via an International Letter of Request,' Cranwell said. He noted that the request was refused by Brückner. Despite this setback, the police will continue pursuing other viable leads in the case.
Madeleine McCann's disappearance is one of the most prominent unsolved cases worldwide. Prosecutors have cited evidence suggesting that Brückner was in the area when she disappeared and express belief that he may be responsible, though insufficient evidence exists to charge him directly. Despite several searches conducted this year, investigators have yet to uncover significant breakthroughs related to the case.
