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.
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The move by Portuguese authorities could allow the man, who is reported to be in prison in Germany, to be transferred to the Algarve for formal questioning. The German newspaper Bild reported that his lawyer said the Portuguese decision appeared to be a “procedural trick”.
Reports suggested the move could be linked to the country’s statute of limitations, which does not generally allow crimes which carry a maximum prison sentence to be prosecuted more than 15 years after they were committed. This would mean the man could no longer be charged in Portugal after May 3.
In Portuguese law, an arguido status can be a preliminary move ahead of an arrest being made or charges brought. The Metropolitan Police continue to treat Madeleine’s disappearance as a missing persons inquiry.
