The parents of British toddler Madeleine McCann have welcomed developments in the case of their missing daughter, after Portuguese authorities identified a suspect in relation to the disappearance of the child in 2007.
Kate and Gerry McCann said in a joint statement on their official website that they had been informed of the latest developments by the UK's Metropolitan police:
"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," they wrote.
"This reflects progress in the investigation, being conducted by the Portuguese, German and British authorities."
The McCann's stressed the police investigation was still underway and that they still had hope after all these years that they may meet their daughter again.
"It is important to note the 'arguido' has not yet been charged with any specific crime related to Madeleine’s disappearance," they wrote on their website.
"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."
Prosecutors in Faro, Algarve's main city, did not publicly name the man but said in a statement he was identified as a suspect by German authorities at their request.
They declined to give the reason for the move but the prosecutor's website says people are declared "arguidos" [a named suspect] if there are "well-founded suspicions of them having committed or participated in a crime".
The suspect has not been charged with any crime related to the disappearance and the man has denied any involvement.
This update is the most significant in some time in the long-running case.
Madeleine disappeared from her bedroom on May 3, 2007, during a family holiday in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz while her parents were dining with friends nearby. The three-year-old's parents were named as suspects in 2007 but later cleared.
The disappearance of Madeleine — or "Maddy" as she is known in Britain — sparked a massive search effort and an international media frenzy.
No trace of her has ever been found.
Next month will mark 15 years since Madeleine disappeared.
ABC
