Christian Brueckner, 48, is currently behind bars for a string of rape and sexual abuse charges in Portugal, but authorities also suspect him for the murder of Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007
The prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case could be back on the streets in a matter of days, leaving police scrambling to charge the German national.
Prosecutors have accused Christian Brueckner, 48, for the murder of three year old Madeleine in Portugal in 2007. However, Brueckner, who is currently serving time, is pushing for an early release from his 2019 sentence after being cleared of unrelated charges last year.
Detectives are worried he could be out in as little as two weeks, with key witnesses in the Madeleine case being summoned for secret meetings to brace for potential charges against Brueckner.
A source told The Sun: “Normally a move like his bid for an early release would be laughed out of court. But everyone is very nervous after what happened with his rape trial last year.
“The court was surprisingly favourable to him. Brueckner’s lawyers know they need to go for this now, in case an appeal against his acquittal is allowed. That will create a new arrest warrant and he’ll be stuck behind bars.”
The insider also revealed that the prosecutors on the Madeleine case are on edge that once the suspect is let loose, he will “vanish and likely never be seen again”, which would be a “nightmare” for parents Kate and Gerry McCann.
This potential release comes after a German court acquitted Brueckner of unrelated rape and sexual abuse charges in Portugal spanning from 2000 to 2017.
Yet, he’s currently serving time for a separate 2005 assault on an American woman in Praia da Luz, with his sentence due to end this September.
The prosecution is on edge as they consider whether an appeal against Brueckner’s recent acquittals is warranted, while his legal team pushes for early release before any appeal verdict is sealed.
Despite it normally being considered to have no chance, prosecutors are “nervous” at the court’s potential decision. If the court frees Brueckner, Madeleine lawyers will appeal against the decision and that could delay a release by months.
Should their potential appeal be dismissed, authorities would then be obliged to level formal charges against Brueckner concerning Madeleine McCann, who disappeared on May 3, 2007, in Praia da Luz.
A new arrest warrant in that case would ensure Brueckner remains incarcerated.
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