Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in the high-profile case of Madeleine McCann's disappearance, has declined to be interviewed by the Metropolitan Police. This comes just before his imminent release from prison, where he is serving time for a separate offense.
Brückner, a 49-year-old German national, has never been charged in connection with McCann's case and continues to deny any involvement. The young girl disappeared in Algarve, Portugal, in 2007 while her family was on holiday.
Madeleine's parents had left her and her siblings sleeping in their vacation apartment while they went out for dinner. When Kate McCann checked on the children later, she found her daughter missing.
Since then, the case has become one of the most publicized missing person cases globally, with Brückner being identified as a suspect in both German and Portuguese investigations. Authorities have pointed to evidence, including mobile phone records, suggesting he may have been near the area when she vanished.
Brückner is currently serving a seven-year prison term for a 2005 rape. He is expected to be released soon, but the investigation regarding Madeleine McCann continues, even without his cooperation. The Metropolitan Police have stated that despite Brückner's refusal to interview, they will pursue other lines of inquiry.
The search for Madeleine has seen various developments over the years, including evidence suggesting Brückner's presence in the region during the time of her disappearance. However, stringent evidence to charge him has not been found.
