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I'm Madeleine scapegoat, man says I'm Madeleine scapegoat, man says
(about 2 hours later)
The man being treated as a suspect in the search for missing Madeleine McCann says he has been made "a scapegoat for something I did not do".The man being treated as a suspect in the search for missing Madeleine McCann says he has been made "a scapegoat for something I did not do".
Briton Robert Murat, 33, told Sky News the situation had "ruined" his life.Briton Robert Murat, 33, told Sky News the situation had "ruined" his life.
Police have searched his mother's Algarve villa, which is close to where four-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, was last seen on 3 May. Police have searched his mother's Algarve villa, which is close to where four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, was last seen on 3 May.
However, officers said they did not have the evidence to formally arrest or charge anybody.However, officers said they did not have the evidence to formally arrest or charge anybody.
Meanwhile, Madeleine's uncle and aunt, John and Philomena McCann, from Glasgow, are to visit the House of Commons in an effort to keep the search in the public eye.
Glasgow MP Mohammed Salwar, who will accompany the couple, said the McCann family had "the full support of the British government".
Alibi
Mr Murat, who previously lived in Hockering, Norfolk, has recently been living with his mother Jenny, 71, in Praia da Luz.Mr Murat, who previously lived in Hockering, Norfolk, has recently been living with his mother Jenny, 71, in Praia da Luz.
Speaking off camera after it emerged he was being treated as a suspect, Mr Murat told Sky News: "This has ruined my life and made my life very difficult for my family here and in Britain. Speaking off camera after it emerged he was being treated as a suspect, Mr Murat reportedly told Sky News: "This has ruined my life and made my life very difficult for my family here and in Britain.
"The only way I will survive this is if they catch Madeleine's abductor."
We are hopeful that this case will be over in the near future Chief Inspector Olegario de SousaWe are hopeful that this case will be over in the near future Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa
"The only way I will survive this is if they catch Madeleine's abductor."
Members of Mr Murat's family have insisted he had nothing to do with Madeleine's disappearance and say he was having dinner with his mother on the night it happened.Members of Mr Murat's family have insisted he had nothing to do with Madeleine's disappearance and say he was having dinner with his mother on the night it happened.
On Tuesday, Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa told a news conference he could not confirm whether Madeleine was alive or dead.On Tuesday, Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa told a news conference he could not confirm whether Madeleine was alive or dead.
He said police had searched five houses on Monday and seized "various materials" from the properties which were being subjected to forensic tests. He said police had searched five houses on Monday and seized "various materials" from the properties which were undergoing forensic tests.
Two other people - a German woman and a Portuguese man - have been questioned as witnesses.
Map of locationsMap of locations
The suspect, who has not been formally named by police, has signed an identity and residence statement which prevents him from moving house or leaving Portugal, and requires him to regularly report to police. It is believed two cars used by the Murats have been examined, and computers, mobile phones and several video tapes were taken away.
Mr Sousa confirmed the suspect had assisted police in the early stages of the investigation by working as a translator. Two other people - a German woman and a Portuguese man - have been questioned as witnesses.
Being declared a suspect, or "arguido", means Mr Murat has additional legal rights under Portuguese law.
He may have been named as an arguido by police or could have chosen to take the status himself to gain those protections.
ARGUIDO STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyerMust report to police every five daysARGUIDO STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyerMust report to police every five days
An arrest can be made once someone is an arguido, but only if there is sufficient evidence. Mr Murat has not been formally named by police as their suspect.
"When you work, you work to get results, but this doesn't always happen at once," Mr Sousa said. Mr Sousa confirmed the suspect had assisted police in the early stages of the investigation by working as a translator.
"Let's wait and see. We are hopeful that this case will be over in the near future." The suspect has signed an identity and residence statement which prevents him from moving house or leaving Portugal, and requires him to regularly report to police.
Mr Murat, a former property developer who has a four-year-old daughter, had become well known to journalists during the search for Madeleine. Mr Murat may have been designated a suspect by police, or he could have chosen to take the status himself to gain additional protections under Portuguese law.
The search of his mother's property, known as Casa Liliana, began on Monday after Sunday Mirror journalist Lori Campbell had spoken to the British Embassy and the police about Mr Murat. An arrest can be made once someone is a suspect, but only if there is sufficient evidence.
It is believed police have examined two cars used by the Murats, as well as taking away computers, mobile phones and several video tapes
Madeleine McCann disappeared on 3 MayMadeleine McCann disappeared on 3 May
His mother is a former nurse who has lived in Portugal for 40 years and brought Mr Murat and his sister up in the country. Mr Murat, a former property developer who has a four-year-old daughter, had become well known to journalists during the search for Madeleine.
Mr Murat's uncle, Ralph Eveleigh, who runs a bed and breakfast in the nearby village of Burgau, said his nephew had been at home with his mother on the night Madeleine went missing. Police began questioning him and searching his mother's property, known as Casa Liliana, after Sunday Mirror journalist Lori Campbell spoke to the British Embassy and the police about him.
"Robert is so sweet and good-natured. He was just trying to help," he added.
Madeleine disappeared from her bedroom 13 days ago as her parents ate dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant.Madeleine disappeared from her bedroom 13 days ago as her parents ate dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant.
On Wednesday, Madeleine's uncle and aunt, John and Philomena McCann, from Glasgow, are to visit the House of Commons in a bid to keep the search in the public eye.
Glasgow MP Mohammed Salwar, who will accompany the couple, said the McCann family had "the full support of the British government".
The international number for Crimestoppers is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine can call anonymously.The international number for Crimestoppers is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine can call anonymously.
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