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Judge extends Madeleine secrecy | Judge extends Madeleine secrecy |
(10 minutes later) | |
A Portuguese judge overseeing the Madeleine McCann inquiry has extended judicial secrecy by a further three months, court officials have confirmed. | A Portuguese judge overseeing the Madeleine McCann inquiry has extended judicial secrecy by a further three months, court officials have confirmed. |
The files would otherwise have been open for consultation from Thursday by those involved in the case, including Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry. | The files would otherwise have been open for consultation from Thursday by those involved in the case, including Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry. |
They are formal suspects, as is Briton Robert Murat, but all deny involvement. | |
Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from a holiday apartment in the Algarve on 3 May last year. | Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from a holiday apartment in the Algarve on 3 May last year. |
Secrecy rules loosened | Secrecy rules loosened |
The decision by the judge, which was widely expected, follows a request from prosecutors in the case. | The decision by the judge, which was widely expected, follows a request from prosecutors in the case. |
It means that neither the formal suspects in the case nor other interested parties, including the media, can gain access to details of the investigations until mid-August. | It means that neither the formal suspects in the case nor other interested parties, including the media, can gain access to details of the investigations until mid-August. |
Most Portuguese legal experts are reported to believe that legislation that took effect last year, loosening Portugal's strict secrecy rules, will not permit yet another extension. | Most Portuguese legal experts are reported to believe that legislation that took effect last year, loosening Portugal's strict secrecy rules, will not permit yet another extension. |
The McCanns were officially named suspects, known in Portugal as being given "arguido" status, in September. | The McCanns were officially named suspects, known in Portugal as being given "arguido" status, in September. |
They launched a new campaign for information ahead of the first anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance. | They launched a new campaign for information ahead of the first anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance. |
They had also called on Portuguese detectives to open their files, so they could find out what leads were being pursued. | They had also called on Portuguese detectives to open their files, so they could find out what leads were being pursued. |