A German national linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been made a “formal suspect” by Portuguese authorities. A 44-year-old man was identified as a murder suspect by German prosecutors in June 2020, but has not been charged.
Investigators believe the convicted sex offender killed Madeleine, then three, after abducting her from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007. A statement was issued on Thursday by the Portimao section of the Faro department of criminal investigation and prosecution which, according to a translation, says that a person was made an “arguido” – which translates as “named suspect” or “formal suspect” – a day earlier.
The statement does not name the person, but says they were made an “arguido” by German authorities at the request of Portugal’s public prosecution service. It says the investigation has been carried out with the co-operation of the English and German authorities.
