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McCann officer seeks book ban end McCann officer seeks book ban end
(about 17 hours later)
Madeleine McCann's parents have faced an ex-detective across a courtroom in Lisbon, Portugal as he tried to overturn a ban on his book. Madeleine McCann's parents have faced an ex-detective across a courtroom in Lisbon, Portugal, as he tried to overturn a ban on his book.
Gerry and Kate McCann say Goncalo Amaral's publication defamed them and discourages their ongoing inquiry. Gerry and Kate McCann say Goncalo Amaral's publication defames them and discourages their ongoing inquiry.
It suggested Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, was dead and questioned their accounts of the disappearance. It suggests Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, is dead and questions their accounts of the disappearance.
Their daughter was nearly four when she went missing from an Algarve holiday flat on 3 May 2007. Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from an Algarve holiday flat on 3 May 2007.
In September, a Portuguese injunction banned sales and further publication of the book.In September, a Portuguese injunction banned sales and further publication of the book.
We're just here to continue the search for Madeleine, and to protect our own family, and their human rights Gerry McCannWe're just here to continue the search for Madeleine, and to protect our own family, and their human rights Gerry McCann
Mr Amaral, who initially headed the inquiry into the disappearance, was also prohibited from repeating his claims.Mr Amaral, who initially headed the inquiry into the disappearance, was also prohibited from repeating his claims.
The hearings in Lisbon were called after Mr Amaral opted to oppose the injunction.The hearings in Lisbon were called after Mr Amaral opted to oppose the injunction.
He is calling a number of senior Portuguese officials involved in the investigation into the child's disappearance as witnesses to support his allegations.He is calling a number of senior Portuguese officials involved in the investigation into the child's disappearance as witnesses to support his allegations.
His lawyers are expected to argue that the material in his book is contained in official Portuguese police files for the case, which have been made public.His lawyers are expected to argue that the material in his book is contained in official Portuguese police files for the case, which have been made public.
Sniffer dogsSniffer dogs
A senior detective told the hearing that police made the missing girl's parents "arguidos", or suspects, in the case after concluding Madeleine died accidentally and her parents covered up the death by inventing a kidnapping.A senior detective told the hearing that police made the missing girl's parents "arguidos", or suspects, in the case after concluding Madeleine died accidentally and her parents covered up the death by inventing a kidnapping.
Chief Inspector Tavares de Almeida said he believed the child died in her family's apartment in the resort of Praia da Luz on the day she went missing.Chief Inspector Tavares de Almeida said he believed the child died in her family's apartment in the resort of Praia da Luz on the day she went missing.
The main evidence for this claim was the findings of British police sniffer dogs sent to Portugal to examine the flat, the court heard.The main evidence for this claim was the findings of British police sniffer dogs sent to Portugal to examine the flat, the court heard.
But the McCanns' lawyer, Isabel Duarte, challenged this claim, arguing that the sniffer dog results did not constitute proof and were not allowed as evidence in the case.But the McCanns' lawyer, Isabel Duarte, challenged this claim, arguing that the sniffer dog results did not constitute proof and were not allowed as evidence in the case.
Mr Amaral was taken off the case in October 2007 following his apparent criticism of British police work on the case in a newspaper interview.Mr Amaral was taken off the case in October 2007 following his apparent criticism of British police work on the case in a newspaper interview.
Mr de Almeida told the hearing he believed the British authorities hampered the investigation by not providing more information to local police.Mr de Almeida told the hearing he believed the British authorities hampered the investigation by not providing more information to local police.
Another witness, Ricardo Paiva, the Portuguese detective who acted as a liaison officer for the McCanns, said he did not feel the inquiry had been damaged by police considering the theory Madeleine may have died.Another witness, Ricardo Paiva, the Portuguese detective who acted as a liaison officer for the McCanns, said he did not feel the inquiry had been damaged by police considering the theory Madeleine may have died.
Human rightsHuman rights
The civil court case is expected to last three days with a verdict likely by the end of January.The civil court case is expected to last three days with a verdict likely by the end of January.
Madeleine's parents are not expected to give evidence.Madeleine's parents are not expected to give evidence.
The book's author was initially involved in the hunt for Madeleine McCannThe book's author was initially involved in the hunt for Madeleine McCann
Arriving at Lisbon Airport earlier, Mr McCann, 41, said: "We're just here to continue the search for Madeleine, and to protect our own family and their human rights. I think it's fairly clear.Arriving at Lisbon Airport earlier, Mr McCann, 41, said: "We're just here to continue the search for Madeleine, and to protect our own family and their human rights. I think it's fairly clear.
"No-one can be allowed to say that our daughter cannot be found without very good evidence to the contrary. That's what this court case is about.""No-one can be allowed to say that our daughter cannot be found without very good evidence to the contrary. That's what this court case is about."
In a statement released through their Portuguese lawyers, the McCanns said the main motive for bringing the injunction was to further the search for their daughter.In a statement released through their Portuguese lawyers, the McCanns said the main motive for bringing the injunction was to further the search for their daughter.
They contended that the book was "against the Portuguese constitution and against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights".They contended that the book was "against the Portuguese constitution and against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights".
They are reported to be seeking 1.2m euros (£1.08m) in damages over the book and said any payment would go towards funding the private investigators hunting for Madeleine.They are reported to be seeking 1.2m euros (£1.08m) in damages over the book and said any payment would go towards funding the private investigators hunting for Madeleine.