A German court has acquitted Christian Brueckner, who is under investigation in the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann, in a trial on unrelated sexual offenses. Brueckner remains in prison serving a seven-year sentence for a previous rape conviction. The 47-year-old German national, identified by local media as Brueckner, was acquitted of two counts of rape and two of sexual abuse. The trial began in February and focused on offenses allegedly committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. Defense lawyers argued there was a lack of evidence and credibility issues with witnesses.
Despite the acquittal, Brueckner will remain in prison for another year due to the previous rape conviction. Prosecutors had recommended a 15-year prison sentence and preventive detention. The presiding judge noted that the evidence presented was not enough to convict Brueckner, citing unreliable witnesses who may have been influenced by media reports portraying him as a “sex monster and child murderer”. The defense had suggested that Brueckner may not have been charged if he were not also a suspect in the McCann case.
The McCann case remains unsolved, and Brueckner has not been charged in her disappearance. He lived in Portugal for many years, including in the resort of Praia da Luz at the time of Madeleine’s disappearance. In 2019, Brueckner was convicted by the Braunschweig court for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal in 2005. Brueckner maintains his innocence in the McCann case. Prosecutors plan to appeal the recent ruling, citing the belief that it is incorrect and requesting a review by the German supreme court.
Brueckner’s lawyer expressed their expectation of an acquittal given the factual and legal circumstances. The defense had argued for the lack of credible evidence and witnesses in the trial. The acquittal in the case of unrelated sexual offenses brings both relief and frustration in the ongoing investigation into his potential involvement in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. It raises questions about the credibility of witnesses and the challenges of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in cases with significant media attention and public scrutiny.
The acquittal does not impact Brueckner’s serving of the prison sentence for the previous rape conviction. The case has highlighted the complexities of the legal system, the role of media influence on witness testimonies, and the challenges of seeking justice in high-profile cases. As the legal proceedings continue, the search for answers in the Madeleine McCann case remains a priority for investigators. The decision to appeal the ruling reflects the determination to pursue justice and hold accountable those responsible for crimes against vulnerable individuals. The outcome of the appeal process will be awaited with interest as the legal saga continues.
