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17/05/2007
'Red van' sought in Madeleine case
Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are trying to trace a red Ford van with fake number plates, it has been reported.
According to Sky News, the van is being sought after a girl who matched Madeleine's description was spotted in Lisbon.
The development comes after the release of a Russian man, questioned in connection with the four-year-old's disappearance, was released.
Sergey Malinka, a 22-year-old IT expert who is understood to have designed a website for Robert Murat - the man formally identified as a suspect in the case - was taken from his flat in Praia da Luz on Wednesday night for questioning as a witness.
Two hard drives, a laptop and a black bin bag were also removed from his apartment.
After five hours of questioning, Mr Malinka was released and told reporters that he was completely innocent and had no criminal record in any country.
He told reporters: "I've invested seven years of my life in this country trying to succeed and suddenly in one hour, it's all fallen apart."
Police questioned Mr Murat, a 33-year-old Briton, on Monday night. The villa in which Mr Murat lived with his mother Jenny is 100 metres from the holiday apartment where Madeleine was staying with her family. Police also searched it.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Mr Murat had been given 'arguido' - or suspect - status, meaning that he is considered a suspect by Portuguese police, but can remain free. However, a person can request this process to be invoked because of the rights it offers, such as access to a lawyer and the right to remain silent.
Madeleine is believed to have been abducted from her family's holiday in Praia da Luz on May 3, while her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, were eating at a nearby tapas bar.
The couple have pledged to remain in Portugal until Madeleine is found. A fighting fund was launched on Wednesday to help cover legal bills, as well as to enable the McCanns to remain in Portugal while the search for Madeleine continues.
A reward of more than £2.5 million has been offered for information leading to her discovery.
On Wednesday, Gordon Brown met with relatives of Madeleine and told them he would help "in any way he can".
Madeleine's aunt, Philomena McCann said that Mr Brown had been "extremely helpful".
England's cricket stars have also lent their support to the search for Madeleine. The members of the team wore yellow ribbons for Madeleine during their first Test match against the West Indies at Lord's.
Details of how to donate to the fighting fund are available at: www.findmadeleine.com.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on the international number: +44 1883 731 336.
(KMcA/JM)
According to Sky News, the van is being sought after a girl who matched Madeleine's description was spotted in Lisbon.
The development comes after the release of a Russian man, questioned in connection with the four-year-old's disappearance, was released.
Sergey Malinka, a 22-year-old IT expert who is understood to have designed a website for Robert Murat - the man formally identified as a suspect in the case - was taken from his flat in Praia da Luz on Wednesday night for questioning as a witness.
Two hard drives, a laptop and a black bin bag were also removed from his apartment.
After five hours of questioning, Mr Malinka was released and told reporters that he was completely innocent and had no criminal record in any country.
He told reporters: "I've invested seven years of my life in this country trying to succeed and suddenly in one hour, it's all fallen apart."
Police questioned Mr Murat, a 33-year-old Briton, on Monday night. The villa in which Mr Murat lived with his mother Jenny is 100 metres from the holiday apartment where Madeleine was staying with her family. Police also searched it.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Mr Murat had been given 'arguido' - or suspect - status, meaning that he is considered a suspect by Portuguese police, but can remain free. However, a person can request this process to be invoked because of the rights it offers, such as access to a lawyer and the right to remain silent.
Madeleine is believed to have been abducted from her family's holiday in Praia da Luz on May 3, while her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, were eating at a nearby tapas bar.
The couple have pledged to remain in Portugal until Madeleine is found. A fighting fund was launched on Wednesday to help cover legal bills, as well as to enable the McCanns to remain in Portugal while the search for Madeleine continues.
A reward of more than £2.5 million has been offered for information leading to her discovery.
On Wednesday, Gordon Brown met with relatives of Madeleine and told them he would help "in any way he can".
Madeleine's aunt, Philomena McCann said that Mr Brown had been "extremely helpful".
England's cricket stars have also lent their support to the search for Madeleine. The members of the team wore yellow ribbons for Madeleine during their first Test match against the West Indies at Lord's.
Details of how to donate to the fighting fund are available at: www.findmadeleine.com.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on the international number: +44 1883 731 336.
(KMcA/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
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14 October 2013
E-Fit Images Released Of Madeline McCann Suspect
The Metropolitan Police investigating the abduction of a three-year-old British girl called Madeleine McCann from an apartment in the Portuguese Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on the 3rd May 2007, have released two e-fit images of a man who is of vital importance in the case.
E-Fit Images Released Of Madeline McCann Suspect
The Metropolitan Police investigating the abduction of a three-year-old British girl called Madeleine McCann from an apartment in the Portuguese Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on the 3rd May 2007, have released two e-fit images of a man who is of vital importance in the case.
23 May 2007
Madeleine's parents visit holy shrine
The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann have made a pilgrimage to Portugal's holiest site to pray for the four-year-old's safe return. Gerry and Kate McCann travelled to Fatima, home of the Marian shrine, in what is expected to be the first of several visits across Europe in order to raise awareness of their daughter's abduction.
Madeleine's parents visit holy shrine
The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann have made a pilgrimage to Portugal's holiest site to pray for the four-year-old's safe return. Gerry and Kate McCann travelled to Fatima, home of the Marian shrine, in what is expected to be the first of several visits across Europe in order to raise awareness of their daughter's abduction.
16 May 2007
Brown offers help in Madeleine McCann case
Chancellor Gordon Brown has told relatives of missing Madeleine McCann that he will help "in any way he can" in the search for the missing girl. Mr Brown made the offers after some relatives of the four-year-old went to Westminster to lobby MPs for support. Madeleine's aunt, Philomena McCann said that Mr Brown had been "extremely helpful".
Brown offers help in Madeleine McCann case
Chancellor Gordon Brown has told relatives of missing Madeleine McCann that he will help "in any way he can" in the search for the missing girl. Mr Brown made the offers after some relatives of the four-year-old went to Westminster to lobby MPs for support. Madeleine's aunt, Philomena McCann said that Mr Brown had been "extremely helpful".
18 August 2008
Maddie Alive, Says Dad
Determined dad Gerry McCann does not accept the verdict of the Portuguese police files that claim his lost daughter Madeleine is "most probably" dead.
Maddie Alive, Says Dad
Determined dad Gerry McCann does not accept the verdict of the Portuguese police files that claim his lost daughter Madeleine is "most probably" dead.
22 May 2007
Madeleine's father returns to Portugal
The father of missing British girl Madeleine McCann has returned to Portugal this morning following a brief visit to the UK. Gerry McCann rejoined his wife Kate and their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie following the visit to the UK. On Tuesday, the couple told reporters that they would "travel wherever is necessary" in order to find Madeleine.
Madeleine's father returns to Portugal
The father of missing British girl Madeleine McCann has returned to Portugal this morning following a brief visit to the UK. Gerry McCann rejoined his wife Kate and their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie following the visit to the UK. On Tuesday, the couple told reporters that they would "travel wherever is necessary" in order to find Madeleine.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
