German prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison sentence for Christian Brückner, the primary suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, for unrelated sexual offenses. Brückner, 47, has been on trial in Braunschweig since February, facing charges that include three counts of rape and two counts of sexual abuse, with allegations dating back to incidents between 2000 and 2017.
During the trial, chief prosecutor Ute Lindemann characterized Brückner as a “dangerous, psychopathic sadist,” arguing for preventive detention after his sentence due to concerns about his likelihood to reoffend. While one rape accusation was dismissed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, Lindemann is advocating for a total sentence of 15 years for the remaining charges.
Brückner, whose defense team claims the case rests on unstable foundations, argues that public association with the McCann case may hinder his right to a fair trial. He has denied any involvement with McCann’s disappearance and has not faced charges related to the case.
Madeleine McCann vanished during a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007, and her fate remains uncertain, making her case one of the most notable missing person investigations in recent history.
Brückner’s charges comprise separate incidents, including the rape of a 70- to 80-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl in Portugal, as well as the sexual abuse of minors. A key witness testified to having seen videos of Brückner committing these acts.
In July, Brückner’s defense successfully challenged an arrest warrant against him, although he is currently serving a seven-year sentence for raping a 72-year-old American tourist in Praia da Luz in 2005. The outcome of this trial could impact his imprisonment duration following the completion of his current sentence.
Brückner, a Bavarian native born in December 1976, has a history of convictions for drug offenses, theft, and child sexual offenses. He lived predominantly in the Algarve region while investigators initially overlooked him in connection with McCann’s disappearance. However, he was named as a suspect in 2020, and further investigations classified it as a murder inquiry. Despite these developments, no charges have emerged from the ongoing investigations.
