Christian Brueckner, the main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has been released from prison under strict conditions, raising concerns that he may attempt to flee the country. Brueckner, a 49-year-old convicted paedophile, was released from Sehnde prison after serving a seven-year sentence for rape. Despite being identified as the prime suspect in the Madeleine case in June 2020, he was never formally charged.
As part of his release conditions, Brueckner has been equipped with a GPS ankle tag to monitor his movements round-the-clock. Additionally, his passport has been confiscated, and he is required to regularly check in with the probation service, potentially on a weekly basis. Brueckner is also prohibited from coming near schools, nurseries, or places frequented by children, and any change of residence must be approved.
Brueckner’s defense lawyer, Friedrich Fuelscher, has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the ankle tag if Brueckner chooses to leave Germany, hinting that his client may have plans to abscond to a country without extradition agreements with the EU or UK. Despite being issued a German identity card and mandated to maintain a permanent address in Germany, Brueckner could potentially evade authorities by crossing into another EU nation.
Prosecutors are actively seeking evidence to charge Brueckner in connection with Madeleine’s disappearance, which occurred in May 2007 while Brueckner was staying in a rundown farmhouse near Praia da Luz in Portugal. If Brueckner manages to evade German authorities and go into hiding, apprehending him could prove challenging.
Fuelscher maintains Brueckner’s innocence, highlighting his client’s mixed emotions about his release. The lawyer conveyed Brueckner’s apprehensions to RTL, expressing uncertainty about the future.