A key figure in the Madeleine McCann investigation has been set free, with the person responsible for his release indicating it was unintentional.
Eighteen years have passed since three-year-old Madeleine from the UK disappeared from a holiday apartment complex located in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
The case triggered a comprehensive police investigation across Europe, which remains unresolved.
Christian Brueckner, a main suspect in the investigation, was released after serving a seven-year sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005—a crime he refutes.
Brueckner has prior convictions for child sexual abuse, although these are unrelated to McCann’s case.
His premature release occurred after a fine related to other offenses was paid, according to Der Spiegel.
The individual who handled the transaction, a former German federal police worker, reportedly did not understand the purpose of the payment and has tried to recover the funds.
In 2022, Brueckner was officially named as a suspect in McCann’s disappearance, having lived about a mile from the McCanns’ accommodation in 2007. During his stay in the area from 1995 to 2007, he was known to commit burglaries and sell drugs.
Authorities suspect Brueckner’s involvement in McCann’s disappearance, but he has not been formally charged.
Although Brueckner is now at liberty, Jon Clarke, the editor of the Spanish newspaper Olive Press, has remarked that he still faces ‘two imminent verdicts’ in Germany.
ITV News quoted Clarke saying: “The police will keep a very close eye on him when he is out to prevent him reoffending again.
“In fact I’ve been told there are many activities being carried out by various law enforcement authorities at the moment to lower the risk as far as possible.”
“He is going to need to give a proper address and will have a probation officer checking him very closely.”
The Times reported that Brueckner turned down a request from UK police to be interviewed regarding McCann’s disappearance.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell of the Metropolitan Police stated, as reported by the outlet: “We are aware of the pending release from prison of a 49-year-old German man who has been the primary suspect in the German federal investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance.”
“We can confirm that this individual remains a suspect in the Metropolitan Police’s own investigation.”