When Will The Decision In Madeleine McCann's Case Be Made?

by merrie | September 20, 2007 at 02:16 am

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The lead public prosecutor, must now
decide if there is sufficient evidence to bring charges against them, if he
needs to request the PolÍcia Judiciária to carry out further investigations
or if the case against them should be dropped.
Portugal’s laws of judicial secrecy prevent anyone involved in a
criminal investigation to reveal any of the evidence in the case, yet police sources are regularly quoted giving incriminating
details about the McCanns.

When will the Portuguese courts decide what to do in the Madeleine case?

Pedro Daniel dos Anjos Frias, a criminal instructional judge in Portimão, has decided that there is no need for the McCanns to be reinterviewed at this point, hence the prosecutor’s statement last night. The threat of them having to return to the Algarve in the near future has been lifted. The judge must complete his rulings by today on a variety of issues. It is believed that he has already authorised the use of Mrs McCann’s diaries as evidence

The couple can remain as arguidos, or official suspects, for eight
months before the Portuguese police have to apply for a four-month
extension. After this time they automatically cease to be suspects, but
there is no requirement for the prosecutor to clear them formally.