After 19 years: the news received by the main suspect in the Madeleine McCann case

A German court rejected the police request to extend the close surveillance of Christian Brueckner, the main suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, following an expert assessment that determined a medium risk of him reoffending.

A German court rejected the police request to extend the close surveillance of Christian Brueckner, the main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, nearly 19 years after she vanished. The decision was made following a new psychological and psychiatric expert assessment, which determined that the risk of Brueckner reoffending is medium, not high. The court expressed concern that the close surveillance harms his rehabilitation. Brueckner was released from prison in September 2025, after serving seven years for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal. He has not been charged in the Madeleine McCann case and denies any involvement. The police announced they will continue to monitor him within the legal framework, but residents of the city are concerned about the decision.