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Russian questioned over Madeleine Russian questioned over Madeleine
(about 2 hours later)
Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are questioning a Russian man after removing computer equipment from his house in Portugal.Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are questioning a Russian man after removing computer equipment from his house in Portugal.
The man, thought to be Sergey Malinka, was taken to a police station in Portimao from his Praia da Luz flat.The man, thought to be Sergey Malinka, was taken to a police station in Portimao from his Praia da Luz flat.
Briton Robert Murat, 33, is the only formal suspect in the case but his cousin says he denies any involvement and that his life has "fallen apart".Briton Robert Murat, 33, is the only formal suspect in the case but his cousin says he denies any involvement and that his life has "fallen apart".
Four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared on 3 May.Four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared on 3 May.
Map of locationsMap of locations
It is believed the man being questioned had 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.It is believed the man being questioned had 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.
Robert Murat has worked for the police as a translatorRobert Murat has worked for the police as a translator
After spending two hours at his apartment, plain clothes officers carried out two hard drives, a laptop and a black bin bag.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.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.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.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.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.Ms Eveleigh said her cousin had been left in "a very bad state" and was "devastated" by the situation.
'Over-enthusiastic''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.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.
Spanish fans shown film Vigil held for Madeleine onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({storyId:6663331, fileLoc: '/player/nol/newsid_6660000/newsid_6663300/', bbwm: 1,nbwm: 1,nbram: 1,bbram: 1});return false;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6660000/newsid_6663300?redirect=6663331.stm&news=1&bbwm=1&nbwm=1&nbram=1&bbram=1">Find Madeleine film Spanish fans shown film Vigil held for Madeleine
"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."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".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.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.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.She disappeared from her bedroom as her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, ate dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant.
Huge rewardHuge reward
The couple have said they will not return to the UK until they have found her.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.
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