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ROBERT MURAT & FRANCISCO PAGARETTE |
The Daily Express reports that Robert Murat could be cleared
tomorrow, as the investigation reaches a crucial deadline,
police files on the case are finally set to be released.
Last night Murat's lawyer, Francisco Pagarette, claimed that
detectives now believe he is innocent and are preparing to lift
his arguido status tomorrow ' exactly eight months after
Madeleine vanished.
If they fail to clear him then, under Portuguese law, they must
charge him or reveal what evidence they have against the
34-year-old father of one. Murat, who was declared an official
suspect on May 14, is desperate to have the cloud of suspicion
hanging over him removed, claiming his life has been destroyed
by false allegations.
Mr Pagarette said: "After eight months that is the end of the
inquiry, so a suspect must be accused or advised of the
suspicions against them. The public prosecutor either accuses
him or they don't. And that is what I am hoping will happen."
He added: "We have not had any communication from the police
since August. Obviously they have already cleared Robert, it is
just a question of the deadline." Theoretically, Madeleines
parents Kate and Gerry, the only other arguidos, should also be
charged, released or told what evidence exists against them
tomorrow.
But it is believed the prosecutor has already granted an
extension allowing a further period of secrecy for the
investigation because of the "special complexity" of the case.
Detectives are also due to re-interview Kate and Gerry in
Britain and do not wish to make any decision about their status
until that process is complete. |
