Francisco Pagarete, acting for Murat,
said that a public prosecutor will
decide in the New Year whether to charge
his client or Kate and Gerry McCann, the
only three suspects in the case, or to
shelve the case.
He
predicted the final decision would be
taken on January 3, exactly eight months
after Madeleine vanished, or by January
14, eight months to the day after Murat,
33, was named a suspect.
According to Mr Pagarete, it is "not
possible" for prosecutors to request
additional time to gather evidence.
Yesterday senior police sources revealed
the focus of the investigation has
shifted away from the theory that
Madeleine is dead.
"We do
not have the proof. If we had that kind
of evidence we would not be considering
the theory she was abducted."
The
comments follow a meeting by the
Forensic Science Service in Birmingham
last week when detectives were told that
DNA evidence in the case is
inconclusive.
The
apparent U-turn was welcomed by the
McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell.
"If
the police now believe that abduction is
the strongest possibility, that is very
encouraging," he said.
Mr and
Mrs McCann appealed yesterday for all
those holidaying in Praia da Luz in May
to contact police.
Portuguese police have never given their
counterparts in the UK a comprehensive
list of the Britons staying in Praia da
Luz for them to question about her
disappearance.
The
McCanns firmly believe that some may
still have vital information about the
missing girl.
Mr
McCann said: "The smallest detail may
provide a clue that leads us to find
Madeleine."
- Blueboy, Stockport, 7/12/2007 22:54