Detectives of the Metropolitan Police are reportedly advocating for the extradition of Christian Brueckner to the UK for trial at the Old Bailey.
Efforts are being led by a senior Scotland Yard officer to pursue charges against the German suspect for abduction and murder in connection to the upcoming 20th anniversary of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance next year, per The Telegraph.
Authorities believe they are building a substantial case for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to approve charges against the 48-year-old Brueckner, a convicted sex offender and rapist. However, the challenge lies in the German law prohibiting the extradition of its citizens to non-EU nations.
A Scotland Yard source shared with The Telegraph, “Next year marks 20 years since Madeleine McCann went missing. If the evidence is strong enough to extradite the prime suspect and try him here, that is what we would seek to do.”
A dedicated team of detectives is compiling evidence for CPS review, focusing on potential charges of abduction and murder, as the investigation by the Metropolitan Police continues as a missing persons case rather than a murder inquiry.
Brueckner, previously imprisoned for the rape of an elderly woman in Portugal in 2005, was released last year and allowed to leave Germany after a legal restriction was lifted.
Although never formally charged in connection with Madeleine’s disappearance, Brueckner remains the primary suspect in both German and British investigations. He resided near the McCann family’s location at the time of the disappearance.
Despite UK investigators’ attempts to interview Brueckner following his release, he declined to speak with the Metropolitan Police and denied any involvement in Madeleine’s case.
Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Police Commissioner, mentioned the possibility of extraditing Brueckner to the UK and exploring legal avenues for charging him in the UK in certain circumstances involving crimes against British nationals. Collaboration with German and Portuguese authorities is underway to assess the options.