A former police officer has expressed concerns that Madeleine McCann might have been abducted under the instruction of a well-known pedophile network previously associated with Belgian child murderer Marc Dutroux. The claim was made by Marc Verwilghen, a former justice minister of Belgium who supervised the Dutroux investigation. He revealed that alarming information had been exchanged among European authorities just before Madeleine went missing in May 2007, indicating a trafficking ring searching for a young child. Madeleine, aged three, disappeared from a vacation apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while on holiday with her family. Interestingly, Belgian police had alerted that a pedophile group had “requested” a young girl merely 72 hours before the incident occurred.
Verwilghen, in an interview with The Sun, remarked, “When I first heard about the case, it immediately brought back memories of Dutroux. Observing the circumstances, the possibility that Madeleine was targeted for abduction cannot be ruled out. The warning signal should have been taken seriously.” Dutroux, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2004, was involved in the abduction, sexual assault, and murder of girls during the 1990s and was suspected of having ties to broader trafficking networks. Verwilghen noted striking similarities between Dutroux’s crimes and Madeleine’s disappearance, stating that the abduction of children necessitated coordination, planning, and the involvement of multiple individuals. Intelligence reports indicated that a pedophile ring in Belgium had placed an order for a young girl three days before Madeleine McCann was taken.
Amidst speculations that Madeleine was abducted upon request, prime suspect Christian Brueckner is set to be released. Brueckner resided in the Algarve region at the time of Madeleine’s disappearance and is scheduled for release after serving a sentence for assaulting a 72-year-old woman. German authorities have argued that it is improbable that Madeleine was kidnapped by a single perpetrator. Nevertheless, their investigation predominantly focuses on Brueckner, despite indications pointing towards organized networks.
A source closely associated with the case emphasized the significance of the claims originating from Belgium, stating that law enforcement authorities acknowledge the unlikelihood of a lone perpetrator being responsible for the abduction. However, the current focus remains on the primary suspect rather than delving into potential network involvement to prevent complicating the investigation.
Concerns have been raised about Brueckner’s release without supervision, raising fears that he may evade questioning. Detectives from Operation Grange have sought an interview with him, which he declined. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell mentioned, “We have sought an interview with this German suspect, but legal restrictions require an International Letter of Request, which was submitted but rejected by the suspect. Despite the lack of an interview, we will continue exploring all viable leads. Further details cannot be disclosed while the investigation is ongoing.”