German probed in Madeleine McCann case released after serving time in unrelated case

SEHNDE, Germany — After serving his sentence in an unrelated case, a German national under investigation in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann 18 years ago was released from prison on Wednesday, according to police.

The man, identified as Christian Brückner by the media, had been serving a seven-year sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal.

Police confirmed his release as a car accompanied by several police vans left the prison in Sehnde, near Hannover, Germany.

German prosecutors had announced in June 2020 that the man was under investigation for murder in connection with McCann’s disappearance in 2007. However, he has denied any involvement and has not been charged in the case.

His lawyer, Friedrich Fülscher, maintains that there is insufficient evidence to charge his client.

The suspect, who spent time in Portugal around the time of Madeleine’s disappearance, remains a key figure in the investigation by authorities in the U.K., Portugal, and Germany.

Despite being acquitted of unrelated sexual offenses in Portugal last year, the suspect still faces legal proceedings in Germany for insulting a prison employee.