GERMAN MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL OFFENCES SEEKS 15-YEAR SENTENCE AMID MCCANN INVESTIGATION
German prosecutors have called for a conviction of sexual offences and a 15-year prison sentence for Christian Brückner, a man also under investigation separately regarding the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann.The 47-year-old German national, who has been identified by local media as Christian Brückner, is currently on trial at the Braunschweig state court in northern Germany for offences alleged to have been committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.
Prosecutor Ute Lindemann argued that he should be convicted of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual abuse, and should face preventive detention after serving a 15-year sentence.
She also stated he should be acquitted of a third count of rape.
The defence is expected to present its case soon, and a verdict may be announced next week.
Although Brückner is the main suspect in the McCann case, he has not been formally charged related to her disappearance.
He spent many years in Portugal, including in the resort of Praia da Luz around the time Madeleine was there in 2007.
Brückner has denied any involvement in her disappearance.
Currently, he is serving a seven-year sentence in Germany for a rape he committed in Portugal in 2005.
His lawyer stated that Brückner would not respond to the charges but expected an acquittal, noting that there are no formal pleas in the German legal system and defendants are not obligated to respond.
Despite the current trial, in July, the court lifted an arrest warrant in the cases involved, citing a lack of 'urgent suspicion' against him, though he remains in detention due to his existing sentence.
