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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, 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 reportedly told Sky News: "This has ruined my life and made my life very difficult for my family here and in Britain. | |
We are hopeful that this case will be over in the near future Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa | We 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 undergoing forensic tests. | |
Map of locations | Map of locations |
It is believed two cars used by the Murats have been examined, and computers, mobile phones and several video tapes were taken away. | |
Two other people - a German woman and a Portuguese man - have been questioned as witnesses. | |
ARGUIDO STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyerMust report to police every five days | ARGUIDO STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyerMust report to police every five days |
Mr Murat has not been formally named by police as their suspect. | |
Mr Sousa confirmed the suspect had assisted police in the early stages of the investigation by working as a translator. | |
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 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. | |
An arrest can be made once someone is a suspect, but only if there is sufficient evidence. | |
Madeleine McCann disappeared on 3 May | Madeleine McCann disappeared on 3 May |
Mr Murat, a former property developer who has a four-year-old daughter, had become well known to journalists during the search for Madeleine. | |
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. | |
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. |
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. |
Back to link | Back to link |