Madeleine McCann suspect's 24/7 surveillance lifted by German court

Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, is no longer subject to round-the-clock police surveillance, the Metro reported ^[1]. The convicted rapist has been under constant observation by German authorities since his release from prison last September.

According to the Independent ^[2], a German court ruled that the legal requirements for 24/7 monitoring are no longer met. This decision follows a new psychological assessment which concluded that Brueckner poses an average, rather than high, risk of reoffending. The court also expressed concerns that the intense surveillance was hindering his rehabilitation.

Brueckner’s lawyer, Philipp Marquort, told ITV News that his client is “very happy” with the development. “Anyone who has served their sentence in full must be given the chance to rebuild a life in freedom,” Marquort said. He added that for thirteen months, this was impossible with officers following his every step.

The 49-year-old was freed after serving a seven-year sentence for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2005. Madeleine, then three, vanished from the same resort two years later in May 2007. Although Brueckner has never been charged with her abduction, he remains the primary suspect in both German and British investigations.

Despite the end of constant monitoring, Brueckner must still wear an electronic ankle tag and comply with other restrictions. The Schleswig-Holstein Higher Regional Court rejected a police appeal to keep the measures in place, according to the Independent ^[2].

Brueckner has strongly denied any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance. In an interview this year, he admitted to being 150 yards from the McCann apartment on the night of the incident, claiming he was selling drugs nearby. German media previously reported that he refused therapy while in custody, though recent findings suggest a lower risk profile.

Searches by German, Portuguese, and British authorities have continued since 2007. The latest operation took place near Lagos, Portugal, in June, following earlier searches near the Barragem do Arade reservoir. Investigators have found no definitive evidence linking Brueckner to the toddler’s fate, but the case remains officially unsolved.