Madeleine McCann suspect freed from German prison

The prime suspect in the abduction of Madeleine McCann has been released from prison in Germany, where he was serving a sentence for an unrelated offence. Christian Brückner was led out in a black Audi by his lawyer with a police escort shortly after 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT). Brückner was not visible in the car, but police announced that he had left Sehnde prison. He had been serving a sentence since being found guilty of raping a 72-year-old American woman in 2005. He has never been charged with any offences in connection with the McCann case and denies any involvement.

Police and Legal Status

Lars Dehnert, a local police spokesperson, told the BBC: "We said before that we wanted this to happen as smoothly as possible. Brückner's trip was delayed for a short time. With this, our police operation has now terminated. We have no idea where Christian B is going to go."

The spokesperson added that this was happening "in collaboration with his attorneys." Philipp Marort, one of Brückner's partners, told the BBC: "I think Mr Brückner is just relieved that all of the investigation process is over and that he is now out. All the drama of today has ended," he said, adding, "I know where he is, but I can't say because he has to calm down before his next court appearance."

The McCann Case and Suspect's Background

Madeleine vanished in 2007 from Praia da Luz, Portugal. While her parents, Kate and Gerry, were at a nearby restaurant, she and her siblings were left sleeping in a holiday apartment. Madeleine's disappearance has made it one of the world's most high-profile missing person cases. German prosecutors have cited evidence—including mobile phone data—indicating that Brückner may have been in the area when she vanished and have consistently stated that they suspect him to be responsible. However, they have not found enough evidence to bring charges.

Brückner is a drifter and a petty criminal who spent many years in the Algarve. He is a convicted child perpetrator with multiple previous convictions, including for sexually assaulting children in 1994 and 2016. In June of this year, police in Portugal and Germany conducted a new search near a reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz, but this yielded no new breakthroughs. Investigations near the Barragem do Arade reservoir were carried out in 2023, as Brückner had lived in Praia da Luz between 2000 and 2017 and had taken photographs and videos of himself near the lake.

In October last year, a German court found Brückner not guilty of unrelated sexual offences alleged to have occurred in Portugal. Due to differences in legal structures, German authorities suspect Brückner of murder in connection with Madeleine McCann, while British police continue to treat her disappearance as a missing person case. Operation Grange, the Met's inquiry, has received more than £23.2 million since 2011. In April, the government provided a further £108,000.