Portuguese police apologise to Madeleine McCann's parents

by Verity 30.10.23 10:13

Portuguese police apologise to Madeleine McCann's parents

Portuguese police have apologised to the parents of Madeleine McCann for the way they handled the three-year-old's disappearance.
Madeleine went missing from a holiday complex in the Algarve in May 2007.
A delegation of senior officers travelled from Lisbon to London earlier this year, BBC Panorama has been told.
They met Gerry McCann, Madeleine's father, and apologised for the way detectives investigated the case and treated the family.
The McCann family has not commented on the apology and their daughter's disappearance remains unsolved.

In September 2007, four months after Madeleine vanished, Kate and Gerry McCann were made "arguidos" - or suspects - in the Portuguese investigation. Both were questioned by detectives, who believed they had staged an abduction and concealed Madeleine's body.
Mrs McCann said she was offered a deal to admit covering up her daughter's death in exchange for a shorter sentence.
The couple's arguido status was lifted in 2008 but they remained under suspicion in Portugal for years.
Goncalo Amaral, the senior detective who led the case, was later removed from the investigation but went on to write a book accusing the McCanns of being involved in their daughter's disappearance. He said he was defending his professional reputation.
The McCann's libel case against the former detective over the claims he made about them in his book was thrown out by the Portuguese supreme court. The couple appealed to the European Court of Human Rights but lost that challenge in September 2022.
The couple have also been subjected to a vitriolic campaign online accusing them of causing Madeleine's death and then covering it up.

Portuguese police apologise to Madeleine McCann's parents _131549675_gettyimages-451839930

Portuguese police apologise to Madeleine McCann's parents _131549675_gettyimages-451839930

[size=10][size=10]IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES[/size]
Image caption,
Kate and Gerry McCann delivered impact statements at a court in Lisbon in 2014, in their case against Portuguese police officer Goncalo Amaral
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Portuguese police now say their initial investigation into Madeleine's disappearance was not handled properly, there was insufficient importance given at the time to missing children and that her parents' position as foreigners in an environment they did not understand was not appreciated.
They also told the BBC they had briefed the McCanns on their ongoing investigation.
The officers gave their support to the German authorities, who believe 46-year-old German national Christian Brueckner killed Madeleine McCann.
Hans Christian Wolters, one of the German prosecutors on the case, welcomed the Portuguese apology.
"It's a good sign," he said, adding: "It shows that, in Portugal, there's development in the McCann case."
Mr Wolters said his team hope to complete their five-year investigation into Brueckner next year. No charges have been brought against him in connection to Madeleine McCann's disappearance to date and he has publicly denied being involved in her disappearance.

Portuguese police apologise to Madeleine McCann's parents _112738771_christianb2

Portuguese police apologise to Madeleine McCann's parents _112738771_christianb2

[size=11]Image caption,
Christian Brueckner has not been charged over Madeleine's disappearance
[/size]
Brueckner was living near the Praia da Luz resort when the McCann family was on holiday there and spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017.
He was made a formal suspect by Portuguese prosecutors in 2022 and is currently serving a seven-year prison term in Germany for drug trafficking and the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old woman in the same area where Madeleine went missing.
Earlier this year, a three-day search of a Portuguese reservoir looking for evidence to link the British toddler's disappearance to Brueckner was carried out by German authorities.
"We think that he was involved in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and we think that he murdered Madeleine McCann," Mr Wolters said.
Brueckner has already been charged with a further three rapes, sexual assault and sexual assault of a child. The five offences are alleged to have been committed on the Portuguese Algarve. Mr Wolters confirmed that they would go to trial in February 2024.
Brueckner's lawyer, Friedrich Fulscher, said his client was exercising his right to silence.
"We know the contents of the files and I think the charges are all based on very, very shaky foundations," Mr Fulscher said.
Kate and Gerry McCann have not commented on the Portuguese police apology and marked the 16th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance on 3 May, saying Madeleine is "still very much missed" and that they "await a breakthrough".

It's been 16 years since the disappearance of a three-year-old girl shocked the world. German authorities now think Madeleine McCann was murdered by a drifter with a history of sexual violence. So, who is Christian Brueckner and how strong is the evidence against him?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67229219

by **CaKeLoveR** 30.10.23 10:41

WHAT???

by **crusader** 30.10.23 10:47

So the Portuguese police have been shown concrete evidence that proves CB took and murdered Madeleine.

Quote from above.
The officers gave their support to the German authorities, who believe 46-year-old German national Christian Brueckner killed Madeleine McCann.

I'll await a statement from the net police.

by Guest 30.10.23 11:08

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I forgot all about the Panorama Special Mark ll so didn't watch - I will get around to it, can't wait to see what they've got to offer this time.

If, as stated, the Portuguese police personally apologized to Gerry McCann the press have taken a long time reporting it. Normally they'd be all over anything McCann related before you've brewed the coffee.

Still, I was anticipating some sort of revelation this October but this has surpassed all other autumnal leaf mould.

popcornandcola

by **CaKeLoveR** 30.10.23 11:12

How can they do this without conclusive proof of the McCann's innocence?

by Guest 30.10.23 11:16

Madeleine McCann IS dead: German prosecutor confirms missing Maddie did die in Portugal

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By Georgia Pearce

Published: 30/10/2023 - 10:03 Updated: 30/10/2023 - 10:22

Hans Christian Wolters says he is 'sure' Madeleine McCann is dead

German Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters has claimed missing girl Madeleine McCann is dead, and that she died in Portugal.

In the latest update of one of the most prolific missing person cases in British history, Wolters said there was no way Madeleine McCann was still alive.

McCann was three-years-old when she went missing from a Praia da Luz holiday complex in the Algarve in May 2007.

Hans Christian Wolters reacted to an apology made by Portuguese investigators after they travelled to the UK to meet with Madeleine's parents to say sorry for their handling of the investigation.

He said "it was a good sign" and shows that "there's development in the McCann case."

Portuguese officers met with Gerry McCann to say sorry about the way they handled her disappearance when she first went missing.

In a new BBC documentary, 'Prime Suspect: Who Took Madeleine McCann?', the case of suspect Christian Brueckner who is accused of abducting the school girl is probed with Portuguese and German authorities speaking on a number of issues surrounding the case.

Wolters also told the investigative journalist that they have "only one suspect at the moment", and believe that 46-year-old German national Christian Brueckner was man responsible for Madeleine's disappearance.

The journalist asked Wolters: "From what you've seen, you're sure she's dead?", to which he agreed, "yeah".

Wolters was then asked about the location of which McCann could have died, where he claimed she "died in Portugal".

When pressed on whether the German authorities are aware of the location of the crime, Wolters simply replied "maybe".

Brueckner has emerged as a prime suspect in recent years of the case's investigation, and Wolters said his team hope to finish their five-year investigation into Brueckner next year.

Brueckner was made a formal suspect by prosecutors in 2022, and is currently serving a seven-year term in a German prison.

He is currently serving his sentence for drug trafficking as well as the rape of a 72-year-old woman in 2005, in the same area where Madeleine went missing.

Brueckner has also been charged with a further three rapes, sexual assault and the sexual assault of a child, all alleged to have been committed on the Portuguese Algarve.

https://www.gbnews.com/news/madeleine-mccann-dead-german-detective-claims-missing-girl-died-in-portugal

by Guest 30.10.23 11:16

Somebody wrote:Hans Christian Wolters reacted to an apology made by Portuguese investigators after they travelled to the UK to meet with Madeleine's parents to say sorry for their handling of the investigation.

He said "it was a good sign" and shows that "there's development in the McCann case."

Portuguese officers met with Gerry McCann to say sorry about the way they handled her disappearance when she first went missing.

by Guest 30.10.23 11:17

I reckon the German crew are all hired actors - including Brueckner big grin

by Guest 30.10.23 11:20

CaKeLoveR wrote:How can they do this without conclusive proof of the McCann's innocence?

Errrrr

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by Guest 30.10.23 11:25

Lord 'Arry, I've found the documentary .... Panorama: Prime suspect: Who Took Madeleine McCann?

Note question mark yes

.

It runs for nearly an hour - cover me hide

I'm going in ....

by Guest 30.10.23 11:27

Notes:

It starts with the time worn footage of Madeleine at home at the foot of the stairs with her little brother and sister.

Is this a repeat?

Aha, it's Richard Bilton again. At the moment he's on location at the disused factory in Germany - information repeat so far.

by **CaKeLoveR** 30.10.23 11:41

Verdi wrote:
CaKeLoveR wrote:How can they do this without conclusive proof of the McCann's innocence?

Errrrr

Exactly - that's conclusive proof of the exact opposite of innocence.

by MaxHeadroom 30.10.23 12:01

Verdi wrote:Madeleine McCann IS dead: German prosecutor confirms missing Maddie did die in Portugal

Hans Christian Wolters says he is 'sure' Madeleine McCann is dead

There is a slight difference between knowing and being sure, right?

by Guest 30.10.23 12:06

Richard Bilton: 'It's not only the Germans, we've (?) discovered the Portuguese police also now believe Brueckner is the prime suspect - and they have told Madeleine's parents'

Blimey, Bilton the presenter (investigative journalist?) is now talking to Dave Edgar - didn't recognize him after all these years.

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by MaxHeadroom 30.10.23 12:08

crusader wrote:So the Portuguese police have been shown concrete evidence that proves CB took and murdered Madeleine.

Quote from above.
The officers gave their support to the German authorities, who believe 46-year-old German national Christian Brueckner killed Madeleine McCann.

I'll await a statement from the net police.

I also cannot get my head around this. Portuguese police still treats the McCannns as suspects and hast concrete evidence to do so, now this? But I would be all the more careful if this is true the was the media reports it or if this is just another manipulative fabrication by some pro-McCann people.

by Guest 30.10.23 12:10

MaxHeadroom wrote:
Verdi wrote:Madeleine McCann IS dead: German prosecutor confirms missing Maddie did die in Portugal

Hans Christian Wolters says he is 'sure' Madeleine McCann is dead
There is a slight difference between knowing and being sure, right?

Err, I'm not sure big grin

.

by Guest 30.10.23 12:28

For the first time they've told the McCanns they support the German investigation but we (?) can report a more significant development *drum roll* The Polícia Judiciária, the PJ, have told us (?) they have apologized to the family. The PJ once accused the McCanns of covering up her DEATH and hiding her body .... now they've said sorry *pull the other one* liar

Portuguese police apologise to Madeleine McCann's parents Scre4441

Richard Bilton on location

The BBC has been told officers of the PJ traveled to the UK, they met Madeleine McCann's father Gerry and they apologized face to face. The PJ told us the apology was for the way they handled the case and their treatment of the McCanns liar

.

Interval: Further explanation for PJ apology..

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Portuguese police apologise to Madeleine McCann's parents Scre4443

by **Silentscope** 30.10.23 12:33

Interviewer to HCW in the Video.
And you know where she died?

HCW: Maybe. Followed by a duping delight type smirk.

Anywhere BUT inside Apartment 5A you mean Hans?

by **crusader** 30.10.23 12:49

There was not much new in the Panorama programme, except Operation Grange knew of Brueckner in 2011.
In 2017 they passed Brueckners name to the German authorities in connection with Madeleine.
Why did they do that, why didn't they investigate him.
What the hell have they been doing all this time, they have some questions to answer.

by Guest 30.10.23 15:12

I just resumed where I left off earlier - so far I venture to suggest the entire documentary is a load of tommy rot.

Richard Bilton is wandering about here and there all on his jack jones, accompanied by dramatic percussion. I don't believe he was sat before those he purports to interview - looks edited to me.

Not that it matters much other than to indicate the documentary is nothing but bits and bobs grabbed from here there and everywhere and spliced to produce the show. Competition for Netflix if ever there were.

On this occasion Wolters speaks in English by all appearances..

Wolters: We think that he was involved in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and we think that .. err .. he murdered Madeleine McCann.

Bilton: So you think Christian Brueckner murdered Madeleine McCann.

Wolters: That's how (what?) we understand

by **crusader** 30.10.23 15:23

There was zero in the video to link him to Madeleine, it was all about him being a wrongun.
It just went over his past life as a burgular and rapist, all the old stuff nothing new at all.

by **Silentscope** 30.10.23 15:29

Was not Bilton once offered to Spy on the Press pack in return for insider information from the McCanns?

Source:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4471474/BBC-reporter-claims-McCanns-team-offered-deal-spy.html

Has he been given an offer he could not refuse?

by Guest 30.10.23 15:31

crusader wrote:There was zero in the video to link him to Madeleine, it was all about him being a wrongun.
It just went over his past life as a burgular and rapist, all the old stuff nothing new at all.

Face it, there is nothing new is there.

We've already been taken for a trip to the reservoir and a little walk through the shrubbery.

Bilton said it's the place Brueckner looked on as his sanctuary - that came from shared press reports be advised.

Reject!

It's very boring isn't it yawn

.

by **crusader** 30.10.23 15:48

I'm still waiting for the statement by the met as to why they handed CBs name to the german police who immediately started to investigate his link to Madeleine.
Operation Grange were convinced Madeleine was taken by a burgular, CB fits the bill, why didn't they investigate him, why were Operation Grange sharing info with Germany at that time.

by Guest 30.10.23 15:58

Now Bilton's talking to a lady on his mobile phone who wishes to remain anonymous.

Bilton: When you agreed to an interview you said you wish to remain anonymous - why was that?

Lady: I heard about the lady who had been raped in Portugal and I read about it, who knows what would go on in his mind, after he might come looking for me.

[Not verbatim]

confused

by Guest 30.10.23 16:05

The German authorities,in this instance Wolters, and the press keep saying Brueckner was sentenced or charge with various offences over past years but escaped justice by leaving the country - and going to Portugal, apparently.

Then offending in Portugal and running off back to Germany to escape justice. What a muddy bluddle.

Bit slap-dash isn't it, don't the German's have better control over convicted criminals?

by Guest 30.10.23 16:11

Now it's Clarence Mitchell's turn to speak, about the many burglaries in and around the Ocean Club complex in the year 2007.

It was all the fault of the Portuguese because they didn't investigate the burglaries.

Now Sandra F says the problem was, like all other crimes committed by Brueckner, the Portuguese didn't investigate the burglaries.

Was he convicted or not?

Now I've got a numb bum.

by Guest 30.10.23 16:41

We've now moved on to the concrete evidence in the possession of German authorities..

1. The telephone mast ping.

Bilton: How do you know that places him outside the Ocean Club and not the other side of town.

Wolters: I can't say this exactly at the moment

Bilton: But just to be sure, do you know he was near the Ocean Club, are you sure

Wolters: We 'think' so, yes

Bilton: So you are able from the transmitter data to establish he was outside the Ocean Club

Wolter: Yes

Bilton: He took a phone call?

Wolters: Yes

Bilton: He took a phone call, well who called him?

Wolters: We don't know, we know only the number

Bilton: How important is that to you

Wolters: Very important to us, very important. It's a big puzzle and we have to .. err .. some pieces, some important pieces but some pieces are .. err. missed, so we have to find many pieces as we could get, so the picture will .. erm .. be ..erm .. complete.

2. Something Brueckner did the day after Madeleine McCann disappear.

He transferred his cars registration to a friend (pictured the infamous Jaguar that may or may not have housed the missing video camera).

Shocked

Lord 'Arry - enter Busching and Seyferth. Might have guessed they'd make a guest appearance.

The witnesses statement (?) says .... 'well, she didn't scream'

So a passing comment that could well be a question - 'she didn't scream?' is for this production turned into a statement of fact !?!

by Guest 30.10.23 16:59

Bilton: So was spottyman spotted by witnesses lurking around the Ocean Club and watchin the McCanns apartment (in broad daylight)..

Portuguese police apologise to Madeleine McCann's parents Scre4444

Was spottyman really Christian Brueckner..

Portuguese police apologise to Madeleine McCann's parents Scre4445

Okay I agree, nuffs enuff.

by **CaKeLoveR** 30.10.23 17:17

Silentscope wrote:Interviewer to HCW in the Video.
And you know where she died?

HCW: Maybe. Followed by a duping delight type smirk.

Anywhere BUT inside Apartment 5A you mean Hans?

How is he getting away with such unprofessional behaviour?