Madeleine McCann suspect release date pushed back
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The expected release of Christian Brückner, the main suspect in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann, has been delayed, his lawyer has confirmed. Brückner, 48, is currently serving a prison sentence in Germany for the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal. His release, originally scheduled for September, may now be pushed back to early 2025 due to an unpaid fine.
Despite intense public interest, Brückner has never been formally charged in connection with Madeleine McCann’s 2007 disappearance. He has consistently denied any involvement.
Brückner’s lawyer, Philipp Marquort, told the BBC that the delay stems from an unpaid fine of €1,446. “He will probably be released around February,” Marquort said, adding that his client is unlikely to be able to pay the amount.
A German prosecutor working on the McCann case confirmed that the unpaid fine has triggered a “substitute custodial sentence,” which could see Brückner remain behind bars until at least January. A prison official echoed this understanding, saying the later release date appears increasingly likely. However, should the fine be paid, Brückner would still be eligible for release in September.
Brückner appeared in court this week in Lehrte, Lower Saxony, where he faced a separate charge of insulting a female prison officer. The alleged incident occurred during a meeting in March 2024 at Sehnde prison, where Brückner was held in solitary confinement at the time.
The meeting was reportedly part of efforts to reintegrate Brückner into the prison community. However, the court heard that he acted in a “hostile” and “aggressive” manner, calling the female staff member a “Witzfigur” – a German term roughly meaning “laughing stock.” Witnesses described his demeanor as combative and agitated.
Brückner was handed a one-month probation sentence for the insult. This means if he violates probation conditions following any future release, he could face an additional month in jail. His lawyer argued the phrase “Witzfigur” could be interpreted differently, even positively, if aimed at someone like a comedian. He also framed Brückner’s behavior as a matter of free speech.
During the hearing, it was revealed that Brückner later wrote a letter of apology, claiming he was in a poor mental state and had simply “got up on the wrong side of the bed.” The officer involved, however, told the court she did not believe the apology was genuine.
The additional prison time could prove significant for German prosecutors, who are still pursuing legal avenues related to separate allegations against Brückner. He was recently acquitted on three counts of rape and two counts of child sexual abuse, involving incidents allegedly committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. Authorities are reportedly considering an appeal in that case.
Christian Brückner, a German national with a lengthy criminal record involving child sex offenses, theft, forgery, and drugs, lived a transient lifestyle. He spent extended periods in Portugal’s Algarve region, including Praia da Luz—the town where Madeleine McCann disappeared in May 2007 during a family holiday.
Madeleine’s disappearance sparked a global search and remains one of the most widely reported missing child cases in history. Despite several leads and investigations over the years, her case remains unsolved. Brückner, who was in the region at the time, has long been under suspicion but continues to deny any role in her disappearance.
When questioned by BBC News outside the court about whether he kidnapped and killed the then three-year-old, Brückner declined to comment.
For now, German authorities have not announced any immediate plans to charge him in connection with the McCann case.
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