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Bid for secrecy in Madeleine case | Bid for secrecy in Madeleine case |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Portuguese prosecutor in the case of Madeleine McCann has applied for files to be kept secret for longer. | The Portuguese prosecutor in the case of Madeleine McCann has applied for files to be kept secret for longer. |
The request means the three official suspects, who include Madeleine's parents, cannot yet discover what case police have against them. | The request means the three official suspects, who include Madeleine's parents, cannot yet discover what case police have against them. |
Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were described as being "extremely disappointed" by the decision. | |
Madeleine, four, from Rothley, Leics, was last seen in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on 3 May last year. | Madeleine, four, from Rothley, Leics, was last seen in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on 3 May last year. |
Case files are usually opened eight months after police start their investigation on an individual. | |
Prosecutors can ask a judge to keep files closed on the grounds that opening them would undermine the ongoing investigation. | Prosecutors can ask a judge to keep files closed on the grounds that opening them would undermine the ongoing investigation. |
Filed request | Filed request |
Next Monday marks eight months since British expatriate Robert Murat was declared the first arguido, or official suspect. | Next Monday marks eight months since British expatriate Robert Murat was declared the first arguido, or official suspect. |
But the BBC has learned prosecutors have already filed their request to keep the files closed. | But the BBC has learned prosecutors have already filed their request to keep the files closed. |
The judge's decision on secrecy will apply to all those involved in the case. | The judge's decision on secrecy will apply to all those involved in the case. |
Therefore, if he accepts the prosecutor's argument, Kate and Gerry McCann will also continue with no access to the evidence, if any, which police have against them. | |
Their official spokesman said it was "almost inhumane" that they were still suspects in their daughter's disappearance. | |
'Almost inhumane' | |
Clarence Mitchell said: "This is extremely disappointing. However, it's not surprising, given that the Portuguese police are continuing to work on the case. | |
"We will continue to co-operate with the Portuguese police, of course. However, the delay in resolving the case and eliminating Gerry and Kate is now becoming almost inhumane." | |
He called on Portuguese detectives to come to the UK to carry out whatever interviews they needed to eliminate the couple from the inquiry. | |
The investigation itself continues, with prosecutors still finalising their formal request for witnesses to be interviewed in the UK. | The investigation itself continues, with prosecutors still finalising their formal request for witnesses to be interviewed in the UK. |
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