BabyDollUK's blog: "Maddie McCann - various"

Russian questioned over Madeleine Last Updated: Thursday, 17 May 2007, 09:20 GMT 10:20 UK Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are questioning a Russian man after removing computer equipment from his house in Portugal. Sergey Malinka, was taken to a police station in Portimao from his Praia da Luz flat. He has denied any involvement and says he is "completely" innocent. Briton Robert Murat, 33, is the only formal suspect in the case of four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, who vanished on 3 May. Mr Murat's cousin says he denies any involvement and that his life has "fallen apart". Mr Malinka is believed to have previously carried out computer work for Mr Murat. He is said to have contacted detectives himself after reading reports police were probing links between Mr Murat and a Russian. Following his release, Mr Malinka said he was interviewed as a witness and not a suspect, and that he did not have a criminal record in any country. He said: "I've invested seven years of my life in this country trying to succeed, and suddenly in one hour it's all fallen apart." After spending two hours at his apartment, plain clothes officers carried out two hard drives, a laptop and a black bin bag. Earlier, Sally Eveleigh, speaking in the Algarve on behalf of Mr Murat, 33, told the BBC that her cousin vehemently denied involvement in Madeleine's disappearance. Mr Murat, who had helped police with translation work, was questioned by detectives for 12 hours and his mother's villa was searched. He was later given "arguido" status by police, which means he is officially a suspect - although he can request this status himself. Officers later released Mr Murat, saying they did not have the evidence to formally arrest or charge anybody. Ms Eveleigh said her cousin had been left in "a very bad state" and was "devastated" by the situation. 'Over-enthusiastic' She was speaking on Mr Murat's behalf because, as police are treating him as a suspect, he is not allowed to speak directly to the media under Portuguese law. "His whole life's fallen apart just from being over-enthusiastic trying to help people as he always does - that's his way," she said. Meanwhile, Mr Murat's estranged wife Dawn, of Hockering, Norfolk, said she was "assisting police in any way she could". Mr Murat, who previously lived in Hockering, had recently been living with his mother Jenny, 71, at her villa, Casa Liliana, in Praia da Luz. The hunt for Madeleine began in the resort town two weeks ago after she was taken from the apartment where she was staying. She disappeared from her bedroom as her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, ate dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant. Huge reward The couple have said they will not return to the UK until they have found her. Rewards of £2.5m have been offered to anyone with information leading to the four-year-old's safe return. And on Wednesday a fighting fund to help cover the cost of the search was launched in Leicester by her uncle John McCann. Any money raised not needed for the search for Madeleine would be used to help find missing children in the UK, Portugal and elsewhere. New video clips of Madeleine were also broadcast on Wednesday during half-time in the Uefa Cup final in Glasgow between Spanish sides Sevilla and Espanyol. Madeleine's aunt, Philomena McCann, of Glasgow, also visited Parliament to lobby MPs and peers for support. Details of how to donate to the Madeleine fighting fund - at banks, by post or via the internet - can be found at www.findmadeleine.com.

Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 May 2007, 07:46 GMT I'm Madeleine scapegoat, man says The man being treated as a suspect in the search for missing Madeleine McCann says he has been made "a scapegoat for something I did not do".

Briton Robert Murat, 33, told Sky News the situation had "ruined" his life. Police have searched his mother's Algarve villa, which is close to where four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, was last seen on 3 May. However, officers said they did not have the evidence to formally arrest or charge anybody. Meanwhile, Madeleine's uncle and aunt, John and Philomena McCann, from Glasgow, are to visit the House of Commons in an effort to keep the search in the public eye. Stressed Glasgow MP Mohammed Salwar, who will accompany them, said the McCann family had "the full support of the British government". Philomena McCann told BBC's Breakfast Gerry and Kate, Madeleine's parents, remained upbeat and positive, although "extremely tired, stressed and worried". Mr Murat, who previously lived in Hockering, Norfolk, has recently been living with his mother Jenny, 71, in Praia da Luz. Speaking off camera after it emerged he was being treated as a suspect, Mr Murat reportedly told Sky News: "This has ruined my life and made my life very difficult for my family here and in Britain. "The only way I will survive this is if they catch Madeleine's abductor." Members of Mr Murat's family have insisted he had nothing to do with Madeleine's disappearance and say he was having dinner with his mother on the night it happened. Map of locations



On Tuesday, Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa told a news conference he could not confirm whether Madeleine was alive or dead. He said police had searched five houses on Monday and seized "various materials" from the properties which were undergoing forensic tests. It is believed two cars used by the Murats have been examined, and computers, mobile phones and several video tapes were taken away. Two other people - a German woman and a Portuguese man - have been questioned as witnesses. Mr Murat has not been formally named by police as their suspect. Mr Sousa confirmed the suspect had assisted police in the early stages of the investigation by working as a translator. The suspect has signed an identity and residence statement which prevents him from moving house or leaving Portugal, and requires him to regularly report to police. Mr Murat may have been designated a suspect by police, or he could have chosen to take the status himself to gain additional protections under Portuguese law. An arrest can be made once someone is a suspect, but only if there is sufficient evidence. Mr Murat, a former property developer who has a four-year-old daughter, had become well known to journalists during the search for Madeleine. Police began questioning him and searching his mother's property, known as Casa Liliana, after Sunday Mirror journalist Lori Campbell spoke to the British Embassy and the police about him. Madeleine disappeared from her bedroom 13 days ago as her parents ate dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant. The international number for Crimestoppers is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine can call anonymously.

Portuguese Law explained 'Formal Suspect' - The Portuguese Law Updated: 14:33, Tuesday May 15, 2007 The Portuguese police now consider Robert Murat to be an arguido, which translates as a formal suspect. An arguido is someone who is being treated by police as more than a witness but has not been arrested or charged A person undergoing police questioning can ask to have arguido status, giving them the right to a lawyer and to maintain their silence. Mr Murat can be referred to as a defendant but it does not mean he has been accused of a crime. He is considered important to any future trial whether as an accused or a vital witness. He is now part of the judicial process, so he can either be called upon as a man charged with a crime or a man who is a witness vital to a case. Under "arguido" he now has to obey the following rules: :: remain in the country :: must report to police every 5 days - with proof of residence and ID :: he cannot change his residence :: may have the right to an attorney, and if he does he can stay silent The process leading up to this would have involved an investigation, questioning by the Judicial Police and an order from a judge to search his home. Portuguese lawyer Artur Rego told Sky News: "Murat was questioned initially, as I understand, as a witness. "Due to his statement and comparing it with the statements from other witnesses and with evidence collected from the crime scene they concluded that he's more than a witness - he was a party in the case. "So they move a step forward and declassify him as a witness and formally make him a suspect, although he has not been charged with any crime."

POTUGUESE POLICE CHIEF PRESS CONFERENCE Madeleine Police Will Not Arrest 'Main Suspect' Updated: 18:14, Tuesday May 15, 2007 Police searching for Madeleine McCann say there is not enough evidence arrest the main suspect, thought to be Briton Robert Murat. A police press conference is being held in Praia da Luz, the resort where the four-year-old disappeared from nearly two weeks ago. Chief inspector Oligeario Sousa said five properties were searched last night and a "formal suspect" was "interrogated". Mr Murat was held last night and Sky sources were told today he was considered a "formal suspect". But Chief Insp Sousa said Portuguese law prevented police naming the "main suspect". "The main purpose was to collect information to bring back Madeleine," he said. "Various material was seized. "[The main suspect] was interrogated as much but no evidence was collected...[that could lead to his arrest]." Mr Murat, who is British, was questioned and released last night with two other people. He lives with his mother in a villa 100 metres from the apartment where Madeleine was abducted. The building was sealed off and searched yesterday morning The Portuguese police said he was a "Arguido" which translates as a formal suspect. That means he was considered a suspect but can remain at liberty. But they denied Mr Murat had voluntarily taken on the status of arguido - they said it was "as a result of the investigation". Crime correspondent Martin Brunt said Mr Murat was now staying with friends in Portugal. "Mr Murat's mother, Jenny, says he was released some time overnight," Brunt said. "He is now staying with friends. She has advised him not to go back to their villa at Praia da Luz.. "She spoke to him by phone briefly and he is very upset. He believes the police are trying to find an Englishman to blame." Mrs Murat told Brunt that computer and communications equipment had been removed from her villa. Brunt added: "We know from our own sources that Robert Murat has been under some kind of electronic surveillance by police, probably for more than a week. "So it looks as though police had been waiting to swoop on the villa and talk to him." Mrs Murat has said her son was with her the night Madeleine vanished and that he had nothing to do with the abduction. Mr Murat's cousin Sally Eveleigh said he was "only trying to help" with the investigation - and may have been over helpful. As well as Mr Murat, a German woman and a Portuguese man were also interviewed until late last night. Local newspapers are reporting that two vehicles are being examined by police - one a green German VW van, the other a Hyundai car. Both had pictures of Madeleine in their windows. Mr Murat had become familiar to journalists in Praia da Luz since Madeleine was snatched from her family's holiday flat 12 days ago. He told reporters he had a daughter the same age as the missing girl who looked very similar to her. Mr Murat, who described himself as half-Portuguese, said he was helping the McCanns as a translator. But journalists became suspicious and went to the Portuguese police with their concerns last week. Madeleine was snatched from her bed on May 3 while her doctor parents Gerry and Kate, from Rothley, Leicestershire, were dining in a tapas bar opposite their apartment. In the UK, Warwickshire police have confirmed they have been helping Leicestershire Constabulary - which has been working closely with the Portuguese authorities since Madeleine went missing. A reward of more than £2.5m is being offered for information leading to her discovery.

ROBERT MURAT NAMED AS FORMAL SUSPECT IN MADELEINE McCANN INQUIRY

Portuguese police have confirmed that "ROBERT MURAT" has been named as a formal suspect. In order to arrest hin according to portuguese law they must obtain a court order. They have confirmed that the have drained a cess pit on the property ans knocked down an internal wall, forensics have also seized amonst other things his car - blankets - computer - video tapes and camera. Roberts ex-wife who lives in the Uk in Norfolk was last night pulled in by police around 10pm for questioning, Robert had visited the her in Uk this week. Police also confirm that ROBERT MURAT has been under electronic surveilance for past week. DESPITE ALL THIS MADDIE IS STILL MISSING !!!!!!

CHRONOLOGY-The disappearance of Madeleine McCann LONDON - Three-year-old Madeleine McCann from Rothley, Leicestershire disappeared on May 3 during a holiday with her parents in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Here is a chronology of developments: May 3 - The girl goes missing from her bedroom between 9.30 and 10 p.m. while her parents Kate and Gerry are dining just 100 yards away at the Mark Warner Ocean Club holiday resort in Praia da Luz. A window and shutter are open and she is presumed to have been abducted. May 4 - McCann family members and British media criticise local police for what they call a slow initial response, failure to take the disappearance seriously at first, failure to notify ports and borders in time, and failure to secure the crime scene, which may have led to vital clues being lost. Police say that under Portuguese secrecy laws they are unable to reveal details of the investigation. Speculation swirls that the kidnapper comes from Britain. One woman says she saw a suspicious character hanging around the holiday flats just a few days before. May 5 - Police say they have put together a sketch of a suspect and confirm they believe Madeleine is still alive and being held within three miles of the crime scene. Media reports say the sketch is vague and only features the back of a man's head. May 7 - Kate McCann makes an emotional appeal for her daughter's safe return May 8 - Police say they have investigated 350 suspicious incidents but still have no idea where she might be. Portuguese newspaper Correio de Manha says Madeleine may have been kidnapped by a paedophile ring. Two criminal behaviour experts fly in from Britain British ambassador to Portugal John Buck tries to defuse criticism of the police by saying after a visit to the girl's parents that they appreciated the efforts being made. Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo joins appeals for her release. May 9 - Family issues statement saying they are grateful to all those helping in the search. May 10 - The search around the resort winds down. Attention focuses on a blonde woman seen acting suspiciously before the girl's disappearance and the possibility that Madeleine might have been snatched by British abductors. May 11 - Scottish businessman Stephen Winyard offers a one million pound reward. "There but for the grace of God, go all of us," he says. Former England soccer captain David Beckham makes televised appeal for information. May 13 - Businessman Richard Branson, author J.K. Rowling and footballer Wayne Rooney are among those to have contributed to rewards now totalling 2.5 million pounds Half a million pilgrims attending the 90th anniversary of the first appearance of the Virgin Mary at the Sanctuary of Fatima pray for Madeleine's return. May 14 - Her parents say they will not return home until they have found her but say they think she is safe.

Madeleine Case: Who Is Robert Murat? Updated: 08:01, Tuesday May 15, 2007 Robert Murat is a well-known figure among journalists in Portugal. He worked as a translator for the local police and was on good terms with them He told reporters he had been in the McCann's apartment in the aftermath of the abduction, translating for the police. Mr Murat, who is believed to have a four-year-old daughter in Norfolk, also worked as a fixer for Sky News for several days. But among journalists he was regarded with suspicion. A joke began spreading among the press pack that he was the "prime suspect". And the joke spread to Mr Murat as well, with him introducing himself as the chief suspect, Sky's Ian Woods said in Portugal. Woods took him aside and pressed him as to why he was so involved in the case. "He told me he had an estranged wife and a daughter and he was upset because Madeleine reminded him of his daughter," Woods said. "People began to ask who he was. After a few days people were getting a bit suspicious as to who he was and why he was around so much. "I asked him to do an interview but he refused, which was unusual because everyone was happy to do an interview." Woods asked twice if Mr Murat could do an interview for Sky News. Woods said Mr Murat left the area a few days ago because he had become concerned about the attention he was receiving. "He became very spooked by the news photographers who were taking pictures of him," Woods said. "He became uncomfortable with the amount of attention he was getting. "He told me he was going to withdraw from the scene because he felt he was becoming a distraction." Mr Murat lives with his mother Jennifer, who is a long-time Algarve resident. She had set up a stall on the sea front and asked people who did not want to give information to police to come to her

British Man Released By Madeleine Cops Updated: 08:11, Tuesday May 15, 2007

The British man being questioned in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been released by police in Portugal, Sky News has learnt. Forensics experts and sniffer dogs were brought in to examine Robert Murat's villa, just 100 metres from where the four-year-old was abducted. The Policia Judiciaria said two or three people were being questioned last night but stressed no-one had been formally arrested.

Mr Murat has become a regular sight in the village of Praia da Luz since Madeleine was snatched from her family's holiday flat 12 days ago. He told reporters he had a daughter the same age as the missing girl who looked very similar to her. Mr Murat made himself known to journalists on Friday, May 4, the day after Madeleine disappeared. He lives with his mother Jenny, who is believed to own the house being searched. She has been running a stall on the seafront appealing for information about Madeleine's disappearance. Mr Murat, who described himself as half-Portuguese, said he was helping the McCanns as a translator. But journalists became suspicious and went to the Portuguese police with their concerns last week. Sunday Mirror journalist Lori Campbell reported Mr Murat to local officers as well as to the British Embassy and Leicestershire Police. She said: "Basically he surfaced on Friday afternoon last week and was walking around as if he was somebody official. "But when questioned about it, he was very vague about his position. He said he just volunteered to help the police with their investigation." It is understood the search of Mr Murat's villa started at 7am on Monday and has included draining its swimming pool. Madeleine was snatched from her bed on May 3 while her parents Gerry and Kate, from Rothley, Leicestershire, were dining in a tapas bar opposite their apartment. The McCanns, who are both doctors, have pledged not to leave Portugal until Madeleine is returned to them. A reward of more than £2.5m is being offered for information leading to her discovery. GO HERE TO WATCH LIVE TV COVERAGE OF SEARCH http://news.sky.com/skynews/livenewsevents

Breaking News Briton's Villa Searched In Madeleine Case Updated: 21:22, Monday May 14, 2007 The home of a British man is being searched by police looking for missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann, who disappeared in Portugal on May 3. The man, Robert Murat (pictured), has been taken to a police station.

His mother has told Sky News that he has not been arrested. She said no trace of Madeleine had been found at the villa. Portuguese police said that more than one person was being questioned but that no one had been formally arrested. The property is just 150 yards from the apartment where Madeleine's family were staying, in the southern Portuguese resort of Praia Da Luz. The house, known as Casa Liliana, was sealed off with tape by police while men in white suits and masks began a search inside. They are believed to have drained the villa's swimming pool. Police guards were on the doors outside. Sky News Correspondent Ian Woods said the property being searched belonged to British woman Jennifer Murat and her son Robert Murat. Mr Murat has been assisting journalists in their coverage of the disappearance of the four-year-old British girl. He was pictured on Sky News during the search for Madeleine wearing a light-coloured shirt and dark glasses. Sunday Mirror journalist Lori Campbell alerted police over her suspicions about him. Woods said: "Robert Murat has been very well known to the media from day one because I have been asking for anyone who was a good Portuguese speaker to come to the scene. "He had been acting for three or four days as an interpreter and a go-between with the police." Woods added that Mr Murat had joked about how he had become the prime suspect in Madeleine's disappearance.

Still missing: Madeleine McCann Ms Campbell told Sky: "It was just very reminiscent of the Soham murders, that was my first thought. He was hanging around, asking us questions and maybe trying to find out what we knew." She said that when she alerted Portuguese police that a man had raised her suspicions, they said "we know who you are talking about" before she had mentioned his name. Mr Murat is believed to have a good relationship with local police and has been seen laughing and joking with them. He told journalists that he was interested in the case of the missing girl because he has a four-year-old daughter of his own who looks similar to Madeleine. He is believed to be separated from his wife, who is thought to live in Norfolk with their daughter. Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt described how he had spoken to Mr Murat's mother about the search.. Brunt said: "She's obviously very shaken. She says her son hasn't been arrested but has been taken to the main police station." She said that no trace of Madeleine had been found and that she expected police to make a statement confirming this. Gaynor De Jesus, who has been working as a translator for Sky News, went to school with Mr Murat and played with him as a child, but had not seen him for years until last week. She said: "I do know that he has been the official translator for the police. All witness accounts, everything that's been coming into them, he has had first-hand information." Madeleine was taken from the apartment where her family had been staying while on holiday, sparking a massive police investigation and a worldwide media appeal. GO HERE TO WATCH LIVE TV COVERAGE OF SEARCH http://news.sky.com/skynews/livenewsevents

Interpol issues global alert for missing British child Interpol has issued a global alert following the disappearance of a three-year-old girl from a holiday resort in Portugal on 3 May. An Interpol Yellow Notice for Madeleine McCann has been circulated to each of Interpol’s 186 member countries, after the toddler went missing from an apartment in Praia da Luz in the western Algarve. The notice was issued at the request of Portuguese authorities who are leading the investigation into the toddler’s disappearance. Interpol Yellow Notices are circulated to help locate missing persons, especially minors, or to help identify persons who are not able to identify themselves. Anyone who has any information regarding this case is asked to contact their local police or the Portuguese authorities. MCCANN Madeleine Beth F-131/5-2007

Present family name: MCCANN Birth name: MCCANN Forename: MADELEINE BETH Sex: FEMALE Date of birth: 12 May 2003 (4 years old) Place of birth: LEICESTER, United Kingdom Nationality: United Kingdom Father's family name & forename: MCCANN Mother's maiden name & forename: HEALY Height: 0.90 meter <-> 35 inches Colour of eyes: BLUE , GREEN Colour of hair: BLOND Distinguishing marks and characteristics: Left eye blue and green colour; Right eye green colour with a brown spot in retina; Small brown mark on the left leg calf. Language spoken: English Date of disappearance: 3 May 2007 at 3 years old Place of disappearance: PRAIA DA LUZ, Portugal IF ANYONE WANTS TO COPY AND CIRCULATE THIS FEEL FREE TO COPY THANKYOU