Christian Brückner, who is serving a seven-year sentence for rape, was acquitted by the district court in Braunschweig, northern Germany, of three separate charges of aggravated rape and two of sexual abuse of children in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.
He is due for release by September 2025 at the latest, after which he would be free to leave Germany.
The verdict could prove crucial to further investigations in the case of Madeleine. Prosecutors in Braunschweig have said they will immediately appeal, including calling for a retrial, having repeatedly claimed judges in the case were biased.
A convicted rapist and paedophile, Brückner was formally named in June 2020 as the main suspect in the disappearance 17 years ago of Madeleine from the resort of Praia da Luz on the Algarve, where she was on holiday with her family. No charges have been brought and he denies any involvement.
Braunschweig's chief prosecutor, Hans Christian Wolters, has repeatedly stated investigators' belief in Brückner's responsibility and said the investigation, in which Brückner is under suspicion of murder, continued. Prosecutors have cited "concrete evidence" but are yet to state what that is.
Brückner's connection to the McCann investigation was touched on repeatedly throughout the trial, which concluded yesterday. His lawyer, Friedrich Fülscher, said the McCann case had "hung like a fog" over the trial.
Brückner, who showed no emotion as the verdict was announced, was acquitted by three professional judges and two lay judges.
The main judge, Uta Engemann, delivered a lengthy statement explaining the decision to acquit that criticised German prosecutors for naming him in connection to the McCann case.
This story is from the October 09, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 09, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Frozen pensions War Veteran says she lost out on £50,000
Anne Puckridge is travelling 4,400 miles on a mission to persuade the government to right a 'cruel' pensions policy, as Rupert Jones reports
Money hacks How to buy preloved items to give as Christmas gifts
Buying preloved often requires more thought and preparation than buying new, so make time to find the perfect gift.
The Filter Best robot vacuums to keep your home clean and dust free
Stuart Andrews trialled the most powerful robot vacuums - some of which even mop your floors - and these are the ones he rates
Checkatrade How do rogue traders get past its checks?
The site says its tradespeople are 'guaranteed', but some customers say they have lost thousands after using it. Anna Tims reports
End of road Vauxhall workers in shock over plant closure
\"I don't have anything good to say about this place right now,\" someone shouts, as workers flood out of the front gates of the Vauxhall van plant on Luton's Kimpton Road.
Hybrid car sales could be permitted until 2035 to ease all-electric transition
Car manufacturers may be allowed to sell Toyota Prius-style hybrid models in the UK until 2035, as the government looks at ways to loosen electric vehicle sales rules.
Royal Mail falling further behind with delivery targets
Royal Mail has failed to deliver about a quarter of first-class post on time in recent months as its delivery performance continues to decline amid an investigation for missing its targets.
'Dirty money' Why people of all ages are investing in crypto
Miles, a 37-year-old NHS doctor from London, has been trying for years to persuade friends to buy cryptocurrencies.
Work Minister's plan to transform the job market
\"This is why I love jobcentres: because they're intensely hopeful places.\" The employment minister, Alison McGovern, has spent half an hour perched on a desk in an office block in Hoxton, east London, hearing from a group of job coaches.
Shoppers bag Black Friday gifts online but in-store sales lag
UK shoppers visited websites in droves to snap up Black Friday bargains, raising hopes the US-inspired promotional day would finally kick-start a festive spending spree.
