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ABOVE: Kate and Gerry McCann |
MADELEINE
McCann’s parents are finally to find out just what evidence
police have against them.
Gerry and Kate
McCann will be given full access to confidential case files,
Portugal’s top law officer revealed yesterday.
Access to the dossier will allow heart consultant Gerry and
GP Kate, both 40, to build a defence and try to clear their
status as suspects in the disappearance of Madeleine.
Attorney General Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro said: “From
July the case will cease to be covered by judicial secrecy
and will be available to consultation by all parties.’’
Reports in Portugal said the legal blackout surrounding
Madeleine’s disappearance in May last year will end on 14
July – 10 months after the couple were named as suspects.
The McCanns, from Rothley, Leics, vigorously deny any
wrongdoing.
Spokesman Clarence Mit-chell has branded delays in lifting
their status as “arguidos” – suspects – as “inhumane’’.
Last night they cautiously welcomed the report.
Mr Mitchell said the couple had not been told that judicial
secrecy was to be lifted, but added: “If this is the case,
clearly this is something to be welcomed.
“Their lawyers would once again urge the authorities to lift
their arguido status as soon as possible.’’
Judicial secrecy is normally lifted after eight months. But
investigating judge Pedro Frias granted extensions after
prosecutors said the case was “exceptionally complicated”.
Madeleine vanished from her family’s apartment in the
Algarve resort of Praia da Luz just before her fourth
birthday.
Her parents left her and twins Sean and Amelie, now three,
sleeping while they dined nearby with seven holiday pals.
They could still face a technical “abandonment’’ charge.
The McCanns’ Portuguese lawyer Rogerio Alves said he
understood that he would not have access to the files until
August.
Yesterday the McCanns were in Strasbourg urging MEPs to back
their campaign for a Europe-wide alert system for abducted
children. |
