UK Trial for Madeleine McCann Prime Suspect Is Edging Closer, German Sources Confirm

Met Police Push for UK Trial

Detectives from Operation Grange — the Metropolitan Police team investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann — are pushing to bring a trial at the Old Bailey in London against prime suspect Christian Brueckner, 49, ahead of the 20th anniversary of her disappearance in May 2007.

A well-placed German source told The Olive Press: "The UK authorities could, if they want to, charge him since the victim is a UK citizen." Detectives believe they can build a strong enough case for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to authorise charges. Leicestershire Police, involved in the investigation from day one, continue to carry out ongoing inquiries.

The German Case Is "Frozen"

Progress in Germany has stalled. In October 2024, Brueckner was controversially acquitted of five sex attack charges in Portugal in a ruling widely described as "shambolic" in legal circles. Germany's attorney general subsequently ruled that the acquittal should be overturned — but a retrial is unlikely to happen before next year, leaving the German case effectively frozen.

Most recently, in January 2026, two Operation Grange detectives travelled to Germany accompanied by a senior lawyer from Scotland Yard. There were also two additional meetings between British and German forces during 2025.

The Brexit Barrier

Extradition faces a significant legal obstacle. German law prohibits the extradition of its own citizens to non-EU countries — and since Brexit, the UK no longer qualifies. While a reciprocal extradition agreement exists under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the UK and EU, it is overridden by the German constitution, which bars extraditing German nationals to third countries. Any UK prosecution would need to navigate this legal barrier.

Background

Madeleine McCann disappeared from Praia de Luz, Portugal, on 3 May 2007, aged just three. Christian Brueckner, a German national, was named as the prime suspect in 2020 and is currently detained in Germany. Investigators have raised concern that he could attempt to flee to Africa once his current sentence ends.

An Irish victim of Brueckner has vowed to appeal the 2024 acquittal, which she described as "scandalous."

This article is based on reporting from The Olive Press, published May 4, 2026.