Madeleine McCann suspect's lawyer says there's one thing he won't do in court
The lawyer for a prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann says his client will not speak in court at an unrelated criminal trial other than to say his name.
Christian Brueckner will appear in court in Germany today (Friday February 16) charged with a string of offences against women and children in Portugal. The 45-year-old was also named as a suspect in Madeleine’s 2007 disappearance almost four years ago, but has not been charged with any offences in relation to her case.
The German is already serving a rape sentence and is accused of five more sex offences which allegedly took place between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal. Ahead of the start of the trial, his lawyer Friedrich Fulscher said his client will not do one thing, adding: “He will not speak to the hearing other than to say his name but nothing should be drawn from that. What needs to be made clear is these charges have nothing to do with Madeleine McCann and that now, almost four years since he was named, as the suspect there has been no update from the prosecutors.
Brueckner is not expected to speak during the trial (REX/Shutterstock)
Brueckner is also the lead subject in the hunt for Madeleine McCann (METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Gett)“He has not been charged with anything in relation to the McCann investigation and I haven't even been given access to the files in that case and I have no idea what the evidence is against him,” he told MailOnline.
Ahead of the trial, Brueckner hit out at prison guards and police in a new statement. Authorities have drawn up a series of water-tight security measures for the trial, which is due to last until June. Armed police will be stationed inside and outside the court for each of the 29 hearings, the Mirror can reveal. Brueckner is expected to be moved from his high-security prison in northern Germany for the duration of the trial. He will enter courtroom 141 via a secure tunnel from a holding facility accompanied by his legal team.
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Lawyers, media and members of the public will have to show formal identification to police before entering the court. Court spokeswoman Lisa Rust confirmed a ‘polizeianordnung’ - police order - had been issued for Brueckner’s trial. Brueckner denies the charges against him and has always denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.
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