The prime suspect in the high-profile case of Madeleine McCann's disappearance has declined to be interviewed by the Metropolitan Police, the force has said.
The Met reported that an international letter of request was sent to Christian Brückner, ahead of his imminent release for a separate offense, which he later rejected.
German national Brückner, 48, has never been charged with any crime in relation to the McCann case and denies any involvement.
Madeleine vanished in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz in 2007 while her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, dined nearby, leaving her and her siblings asleep in a holiday apartment.
Brückner is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for the rape of a 72-year-old woman at her home in Praia da Luz in 2005. He is expected to be released by Wednesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell from the Met stated that Brückner remains a suspect and has been the prime suspect in both the German and Portuguese investigations since 2020 and 2022, respectively. He explained that the police had requested an interview that was refused by Brückner.
Despite the setback, Cranwell confirmed that investigations would proceed, stating, In the absence of an interview, we will nevertheless continue to pursue any viable lines of inquiry.
Brückner has been connected to the disappearance through mobile phone data suggesting he was in the area at the time. However, authorities have indicated that the evidence collected thus far has not been sufficient to bring charges against him.
The case of Madeleine McCann is considered one of the highest-profile unsolved missing persons cases globally, with significant public interest and extensive media coverage fostering hope for resolution.
