Madeleine McCann suspect could be charged in weeks, witnesses told to get ready to testify

As the 15th anniversary of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance looms, it has emerged the man suspected in the case could be charged in just months.

The man suspected in the case of missing British girl Madeleine McCann could be charged in months, it is being reported.

Christian Brueckner, 45, has been named an official suspect, or arguido, in the case by Portuguese prosecutors, ahead of the 15th anniversary of the three-year-old vanishing while on holiday with her family in Praia da Luz.

In Portugal, an “arguido”, which is typically translated as “named suspect” or “formal suspect” – is someone who is treated by Portuguese police as more than a witness but has not been arrested or charged, The Sun reports.

Brueckner could face trial in light of “extremely strong” new evidence from the child’s disappearance on May 3, 2007, according to former Chief Metropolitan Police Officer Jim Gamble.

Madeleine disappeared while on holiday with her parents in Portugal in 2007. Picture: Metropolitan Police/AFP

Christian Brueckner has been named as a prime suspect. Picture: Bild

It’s understood potential witnesses have been told be on standby to give evidence in a German courtroom as he may be charged within weeks.

A former friend of Brueckner told British newspaper The Mirror: “I got a call from the Germans asking questions about a previous statement I made.

“They said I should be prepared to come to Germany, possibly at the end of the summer.

“They said they were hoping to charge Christian with something but didn’t go into any more detail.”

It’s unclear, however, whether the charges will relate to Maddie’s disappearance or another alleged crime.

German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters’ police team suspect Brueckner abducted Madeleine from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, where she was staying with her parents.

The house in Lagos, Portugal, where three-year-old Madeleine disappeared in 2007. Picture: Carlos Costa/AFP

They claim to have evidence proving beyond doubt that she was murdered soon after.

Sources suggested forensic work was ongoing to trace “potentially crucial” evidence from a VW van Brueckner drove at the time.

But the suspect – who is serving seven years in a German jail for raping a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal – denies involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance.

However, he has not provided an alibi to police, they said.

The convicted paedophile told a US documentary he was elsewhere when Madeleine was snatched.

Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann. Picture: Joe Giddens/AFP

Mr Wolters, the German prosecutor, told The Sun: “We’re not aware of any alibi at all.”

Frustrated investigators believe the prime suspect is “playing games with them”.

After stonewalling German interrogators, Mr Brueckner has instead chosen to give details of his alleged alibi to a US TV documentary.

Meanwhile, Madeleine’s parents are preparing to remember her at a prayer service on Tuesday, on the 15th anniversary of her abduction.

Kate and Gerry McCann are expected to join family, friends and supporters in their home village of Rothley, Leicester.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission