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Madeleine McCann inquiry: Police finish questioning Madeleine McCann inquiry: Police finish questioning
(35 minutes later)
Questioning of four suspects in the Madeleine McCann investigation has concluded without any new developments, a source has told the BBC.Questioning of four suspects in the Madeleine McCann investigation has concluded without any new developments, a source has told the BBC.
The source close to the inquiry played down the significance of the interviews with suspects in Portugal on Tuesday.The source close to the inquiry played down the significance of the interviews with suspects in Portugal on Tuesday.
Portuguese detectives in Faro were observed during the questioning by officers from the Met Police, which is carrying out its own investigation. Portuguese detectives in Faro were observed during the questioning by officers from the Met Police, who are carrying out their own investigation.
Madeleine disappeared aged three in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in 2007.Madeleine disappeared aged three in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in 2007.
'Requests confidential'
The source told the BBC: "Questioning of the four suspects was concluded yesterday evening. Unfortunately the interviews have led to no new developments and we are back where we were seven years ago."The source told the BBC: "Questioning of the four suspects was concluded yesterday evening. Unfortunately the interviews have led to no new developments and we are back where we were seven years ago."
The source added: "The 'arguido' [suspect] status was given to the suspects to protect them. It gives them legal rights including the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present during interviews.The source added: "The 'arguido' [suspect] status was given to the suspects to protect them. It gives them legal rights including the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present during interviews.
"They were declared arguido due to being identified as suspects in a letter of international request sent by the British to the Portuguese authorities.""They were declared arguido due to being identified as suspects in a letter of international request sent by the British to the Portuguese authorities."
The Portuguese Attorney General's Office in Lisbon issued a brief statement about the questioning of the four suspects.
It said that requests from the British authorities had been carried out but the content of these requests would remain confidential.
No arrestsNo arrests
Police have begun the process of speaking to 11 witnesses. These interviews also relate to official requests from the Metropolitan Police. Police have begun the process of interviewing 11 witnesses, which also relates to official requests from the Metropolitan Police.
The source indicated that two tracker dogs from the UK could be used in searching a vehicle thought to belong to one of the witnesses. No time or location was given for this.The source indicated that two tracker dogs from the UK could be used in searching a vehicle thought to belong to one of the witnesses. No time or location was given for this.
One of the four "persons of interest" - or arguidos - questioned was Sergey Malinka. He has always denied any involvement.One of the four "persons of interest" - or arguidos - questioned was Sergey Malinka. He has always denied any involvement.
Mr Malinka, a Russian-born website designer with Portuguese nationality, was questioned as a witness in 2007 when Madeleine went missing.Mr Malinka, a Russian-born website designer with Portuguese nationality, was questioned as a witness in 2007 when Madeleine went missing.
On Tuesday Mr Malinka and another suspect left the central police station in Faro after they were interviewed. On Tuesday, Mr Malinka and another suspect left the central police station in Faro after they were interviewed.
A third person, who is said to be suffering from severe schizophrenia, remained in the police headquarters on after the other two had left. A third person, who is said to be suffering from severe schizophrenia, remained inside the police headquarters after the other two had left.
All of those being questioned are Portuguese citizens. They have all been summoned to be interviewed; there have been no arrests.All of those being questioned are Portuguese citizens. They have all been summoned to be interviewed; there have been no arrests.
The status of arguidos in the Portuguese judicial system refers to individuals whom police may reasonably suspect are linked to a crime.The status of arguidos in the Portuguese judicial system refers to individuals whom police may reasonably suspect are linked to a crime.
In June, Portuguese and British officers searched three sites in Praia da Luz but found no evidence relating to the case.In June, Portuguese and British officers searched three sites in Praia da Luz but found no evidence relating to the case.
Scotland Yard said at the time that "more activity" had been agreed with Portuguese police and the searches were the "first phase" of a major investigation.Scotland Yard said at the time that "more activity" had been agreed with Portuguese police and the searches were the "first phase" of a major investigation.
The McCann family - from Rothley, Leicestershire - were staying in an apartment in the resort of Praia da Luz in Portugal when three-year-old Madeleine was last seen. The McCann family - from Rothley, Leicestershire - were staying in an apartment in Praia da Luz when Madeleine was last seen.
Her parents had been at a restaurant near their apartment when she went missing.Her parents had been at a restaurant near their apartment when she went missing.