Christian Brueckner, a suspect in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann, was acquitted of unrelated sexual abuse charges by a court in Germany. Brueckner, who denies involvement in McCann’s case, is already serving a seven-year prison term for a rape in Portugal. In the trial in Brunswick, he faced charges of aggravated rape and sexual abuse of children. Prosecutors argued for a 15-year sentence, while his lawyer called for acquittal, suggesting he was only on trial because of his connection to the McCann case. Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 during a family holiday in Portugal, sparking a media frenzy in Britain and Portugal. Despite extensive efforts, her fate remains unknown and no body has ever been found. German police have stated that McCann is assumed dead and have linked Brueckner to the case, but have not brought charges against him. The trial in Brunswick sheds no new light on McCann’s disappearance.
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