 |
| McCann family hit
out over release of files concerning
missing Madeleine |
(UKPA) –
The release by
Portuguese police to British newspapers of
previously unseen files on the disappearance of
Madeleine McCann was "incomprehensible" and
"upsetting", her family said.
The 2,000-page
dossier detailed dozens of possible sightings of
Madeleine after she disappeared from her family's
holiday flat in Praia da Luz, southern Portugal, in
May 2007, just before her fourth birthday.
A statement
released by
Kate and Gerry McCann said: "Disclosing
such information publicly greatly jeopardises the
search for Madeleine and puts witnesses and innocent
members of the general public at risk (as well as
causing them great anxiety). Release and publication
of information in this manner also potentially
compromises future investigations. It is difficult
to see how anyone benefits from this week's
actions."
One of the
possible sightings was investigated by police in New
Zealand after a girl resembling Madeleine was caught
on CCTV in Dunedin, but it emerged Portuguese
detectives failed to ask for a follow-up
investigation.
Other leads in the
newly released dossier include a report of a small
blonde girl being dragged along the road to Faro
airport in the Algarve - an hour's drive from Praia
da Luz - on the night Madeleine vanished.
Another details
how a young girl who looked like the missing child
was seen being held at gunpoint on a French motorway
by a half-naked man in August 2008.
The statement
released by the McCanns, both 41 and from Rothley,
Leicestershire, thanked their supporters.
It stated: "We are
incredibly grateful to all those who continue to
support us in our search for
Madeleine.
"During weeks such
as these, it is invaluable to know that we are not
facing this difficult journey alone."
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