A German court in Braunschweig has acquitted a 47-year-old man, identified by local media as Christian Brueckner, of unrelated sexual offense charges. Brueckner is also under investigation in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann, which occurred 17 years and 5 months ago.
The court dismissed two counts of rape and two of sexual abuse allegedly committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. Despite the acquittal, Brueckner will remain incarcerated for another year, serving a seven-year sentence for a separate rape conviction from 2019.
Defense attorneys highlighted the lack of substantial evidence and questioned the credibility of witnesses. Conversely, prosecutors had sought a 15-year prison term followed by preventive detention. The verdict is subject to appeal, according to German news agency dpa.
It's important to note that Brueckner has not been formally charged in the McCann case, where he is under investigation on suspicion of murder. He resided in Portugal for an extended period, including in Praia da Luz, the location of Madeleine's disappearance on May 3, 2007. Brueckner has consistently denied any involvement in her disappearance.
The Madeleine McCann case has been one of the most high-profile missing person investigations in British history, involving police forces from multiple countries and costing millions of pounds. The investigation has utilized various methods, including DNA evidence analysis, international police cooperation, and media appeals.
"We have continued to search for our daughter and maintain hope of finding her."
The case has had a significant psychological impact on the McCann family and has been the subject of extensive media coverage worldwide. Over the years, numerous reported sightings of Madeleine have surfaced, but none have been confirmed.
In June 2020, German prosecutors announced they were investigating a new suspect in the case, which renewed interest in the long-standing mystery. The ongoing investigation has benefited from advances in forensic technology, allowing investigators to reexamine evidence from the original case with new techniques.
The Braunschweig court's jurisdiction in Brueckner's case stems from his last known German residence being in the city. This legal process highlights the complexities of international criminal cases and the challenges in prosecuting crimes across borders.
As the investigation continues, the use of the European Arrest Warrant system and cooperation between EU member states' law enforcement agencies remain crucial in pursuing justice in cross-border criminal cases.