It has been nearly 15 years since the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2007 while she was on holidays in Portugal with her family.
German convicted rapist Christian Brueckner aged 44 years has been declared a formal suspect in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, also known as an arguido.
The push to declare Brueckner an arguido was made at Portugal’s request as a 15-year limit on prosecutions was due to expire.
Since Madeleine’s parents Gerry and Kate McCann were investigated in 2007 and later cleared, it has been the first time Portuguese prosecutors have named a formal suspect.
German police revealed they were investigating Brueckner in 2020, who was already in prison on an unrelated rape charge, as an official suspect.
Despite nearly 15 years of investigation, no charges against a suspect have ever been laid.