The German prosecutor investigating the
disappearance of Meline Macccan 18 years
ago has told the BBC that his chief
suspect, the convicted rapist Christian
Brookner, will be released from jail in
less than 3 weeks time. Police in
Germany do not believe they have enough
evidence to bring charges against him
over Madlin's disappearance, even though
he is still considered to be dangerous.
Phil Mackey reports.
Earlier this summer, the investigation
focused yet again on the Algav in
Portugal, where fresh searches were
carried out near to where Meline Macan
disappeared 18 years ago. Over 3 days,
German officers assisted by the
Portuguese scoured scrubland a short
distance from Prialoo. They found new
clues, but not enough evidence to
prosecute this man, Christian Brookner,
who they believe was behind Meline's
abduction. Did you kidnap and kill
Maline Macan? Mr. Brookner,
>> he's in a German prison for the rape of
a pensioner in Praus in 2005, but will
be released either on or just before the
17th of September, even though he's
considered to be a danger to the public.
>> We have evidence which suggests that
Christian Brookner is responsible for
the disappearance and death of Meline
Macan. We haven't found anything in the
last 5 years that exonerates him. In
fact, we found evidence that strengthens
our case. But it's not strong enough to
make a guilty verdict lightly. And
that's why we can't charge him or apply
for an arrest warrant.
>> The courts will be asked to ensure
Brookner must wear an electronic tag and
be subject to travel restrictions when
he's released.
>> Christian Brookner is dangerous as
confirmed by an expert. We have to
expect him to reaffend and that's why
we've asked for an ankle tag.
>> 18 years after she vanished, Maline
McCann's whereabouts remain a mystery.
News of her disappearance was shared
around the world.
She was abducted from the family's
holiday apartment while her parents ate
dinner with friends in the same complex
a few meters away. At one point, the
Portuguese police even questioned Jerry
and Kate Macan. They subsequently
apologized to them for the way the
investigation was handled. The Met
Police carried out extensive searches in
Portugal in 2014.
The desolate area where the most recent
search focused included derelict farm
buildings and an empty well. German
police say they're trying to gather all
the pieces to a giant puzzle, but they
haven't got enough yet to stop
Brookner's imminent release from prison.
Phil Mackey, BBC News.