Madeleine McCann’s parents, Gerry and Kate McCann have released a joint statement after German man Christian Bruckner was announced as a formal suspect.
Sky broke the news with the statement reading:
“We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an ‘arguido’ in relation to the disappearance of our beloved daughter Madeleine.
“This reflects progress in the investigation, being conducted by the Portuguese, German and British authorities. We are kept informed of developments by the Metropolitan Police.
“It is important to note the ‘arguido’ has not yet been charged with any specific crime related to Madeleine’s disappearance.
“Even though the possibility may be slim, we have not given up hope that Madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her.”
The world’s media has focused back in on one of the most famous cases the world has seen in living memory.
Madeleine McCann is missing since May 2007 and after 15 years, police say they finally have a suspect.
A German national has been named as an official suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, but has denied reports that he has been charged with her disappearance.
According to LBC, the AFP news agency said a suspect in Germany had been charged, but Christian Brückner’s lawyer later denied the news.
Lawyers for German national Brückner have confirmed that Portuguese authorities had labelled him an “arguido”, or accused.
The news could be linked to the 15th anniversary of the girl’s disappearance, as Portugal has a 15-year limit on murder charges.
The decision to officially name Brueckner as a suspect should allow the investigation to continue.
Friedrich Fuelscher, Brückner’s lawyer, said: “The step taken by the Portuguese authorities should not be overrated.
“Without knowing the Portuguese legal situation in detail, I assume that this measure is a procedural artifice to stop the statute of limitations threatening in a few days.”
Last month it was reported that the Met Police investigation into Maddie’s disappearance was to be closed after 11 years.
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