MADELEINE McCann suspect Christian Brueckner could face up to five years in prison after allegedly being caught in a street clash with a British man.
The convicted paedophile and rapist, 49, was arrested alongside the unnamed Brit on suspicion of “mutual assault” following the altercation in Kiel, northern .
Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner could be arrested for five years Credit: Dan Charity
The latest twist comes as pressure mounts to bring Brueckner to trial over the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann Credit: PA
A source close to Brueckner told the Mirror : “He got attacked by a British person. The guy appeared in front of him together with two other people and a big dog.
“He yelled at Brueckner and hit him in the face twice and that’s it and then the police came and arrested him. Brueckner called the police. He was injured.”
The latest twist comes as pressure mounts to bring Brueckner to trial over the disappearance of three-year-old .
It emerged this week that one of Scotland Yard’s most senior officers is leading efforts to charge the paedophile before the 20th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance next year.
Brueckner allegedly got into an altercation with an unnamed British man Credit: Dan Charity
Since his release, he has been under constant police surveillance Credit: Dan Charity
The top cop is hoping to put Brueckner on trial in London.
Brueckner – who is “living like a rat” off grid in scoffed at .
A source close to the paedophile said: “He’s completely unfazed by it.
“As far as he is concerned, they have had years to bring a case against him and have failed.
Cops are hoping to have him extradited to Britain Credit: Darren Fletcher
Brueckner remains the prime suspect in Maddie’s disappearance Credit: AFP
“He’s very confident this won’t be going anywhere soon, but then again, he has always been an arrogant and self-assured man.”
Brueckner told the Mirror he is aware of the developments but added: “No comment – I have good lawyers.”
German prosecutor Hans Wolters, who first named Brueckner as a suspect nearly six years ago, dismissed reports of imminent action.
“I suspect this is just hot air again. Extradition would require an arrest warrant. But there certainly isn’t one,” he said.
Will Christian Brueckner face trial in the UK?
- German officials state that Brueckner cannot be extradited to the UK because the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) framework no longer applies to Britain following brexit.
- Article 16 of the German constitution generally prohibits the extradition of German citizens to non-EU countries, creating a significant legal roadblock for British investigators.
- UK authorities are reportedly pushing to charge Brueckner with abduction and murder before the 20th anniversary of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance in 2027.
- Brueckner was recently released from prison after serving a sentence for rape; he is currently living under police surveillance and wearing an electronic ankle tag.
- Since his release, Brueckner has been living “off-grid” in Germany, frequently being moved from public spaces and refused entry to hostels due to his criminal history.
- Brueckner is reportedly “unfazed” and confident that he will not face trial in the UK, while also seeking a new identity to start his life over.
- Despite the extradition deadlock, Scotland Yard continues to gather evidence, while Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, remain committed to the search for justice.
“It’s out of the question there is an arrest warrant against CB in the Maddie case. I am not in a position to say whether the British police can obtain one from a British court.”
Since , Britain and Germany have agreed a reciprocal extradition deal.
But to non-EU countries.
When asked if Brexit had blocked the UK from extraditing suspects such as Brueckner, a spokesman told The Telegraph : “Yes, that is the case.”
Despite this, Scotland Yard detectives are understood to have been quietly building a case against Brueckner for the past six months.
Officers have formally requested evidence from German authorities .
It is believed they could soon have enough material for the to authorise charges.
The Sun recently revealed Brueckner is hoping to be granted a new identity and start afresh – throwing the plan into disarray.
Brueckner remains the prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance in Praia da Luz, , in May 2007.
He was previously jailed for seven years for raping a US pensioner in the same Algarve resort where the toddler vanished.
Since his release, he has been under constant police surveillance – and accused of playing a “cat and mouse” game with officers.
In recent months, he has repeatedly changed locations, moving at least four times – most recently heading north to Schleswig-Holstein after leaving Braunschweig.
Since his release from prison last month, he has repeatedly been turned away from and homeless shelters.
He was also booted out of a city centre park after pitching a tent just yards from a kindergarten.
Circumstantial evidence still hangs over Brueckner – including mobile phone data placing him close to the McCanns’ apartment at the time Madeleine McCann vanished.
He also has previous convictions for child abuse, and a witness told both German and British police in 2008 that Brueckner had allegedly said a year after Madeleine disappeared that she didn’t scream when taken.
Despite the claims, detectives are yet to uncover any forensic evidence directly linking him to the case.
At the weekend, Madeleine’s parents and , along with their children Sean and Amelie, attended a vigil marking 19 years since she vanished in Praia da Luz, .
In a statement, Kate and Gerry said: “The search goes on… to find our Madeleine, to achieve some justice, to make the world that bit safer.
“We remain very grateful for all our support from friends and family, people we know and those we don’t, and from the police and authorities for their continued determination and effort. For Madeleine, who we love and miss every day, we will never give up. Kate, Gerry and family.”
Last year, Brueckner stood trial in Braunschweig on three further rape charges and two counts of child abuse – but was cleared.
During the case, a psychological expert branded him part of the “absolute top league of dangerous offenders.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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