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Huge Madeleine campaign response Huge Madeleine campaign response
(about 2 hours later)
The family of missing Madeleine McCann has said there has been an overwhelming response to their campaign to find the four-year-old.The family of missing Madeleine McCann has said there has been an overwhelming response to their campaign to find the four-year-old.
Michael Wright, a close relative of Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate, said a campaign website has had more than five million visitors.Michael Wright, a close relative of Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate, said a campaign website has had more than five million visitors.
Madeleine went missing exactly two weeks ago while on holiday in Portugal.Madeleine went missing exactly two weeks ago while on holiday in Portugal.
Russian Sergey Malinka, who has been questioned over her disappearance, has denied any involvement.Russian Sergey Malinka, who has been questioned over her disappearance, has denied any involvement.
IT expert Mr Malinka, 22, was taken to a police station in Portimao and computer equipment was removed from his flat in Praia da Luz, Algarve. Private detectives
He says he is "completely" innocent and that his life had "fallen apart". Speaking in Praia da Luz, Mr Wright said: "Gerry and Kate are taking immense strength from the support and good wishes that they are receiving from all over the world.
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. "They have been totally overwhelmed by offers from individuals, small companies, and large multi-national corporations.
"Both of them are firmly fixed on the campaign which is designed to raise Madeleine's profile right across Europe and ensure we bring her home."
Police took computer equipment away from Mr Malinka's home
He said a fund launched with the website on Wednesday would pay for the campaign and to hire experts in publicity and detection.
There has been speculation the family may hire private investigators to look for Madeleine, who vanished from her bed when her parents were at a nearby restaurant on 3 May.
Mr Wright said companies had agreed to include Madeleine's image on outgoing emails while others have promised text message campaigns, poster distribution and financial support.
Meanwhile, IT expert Mr Malinka, 22, was taken to a police station in Portimao and computer equipment was removed from his flat in Praia da Luz.
Map of locationsMap of locations
He says he is "completely" innocent and that his life had "fallen apart".
Police have not officially confirmed the man they have questioned is Mr Malinka. But they said the man had been questioned as a witness.Police have not officially confirmed the man they have questioned is Mr Malinka. But they said the man had been questioned as a witness.
They stressed there had been no arrests and no charges as yet in their investigation into Madeleine's disappearance.
Mr Malinka is believed to have designed a website for Mr Murat's property business. He is said to have contacted detectives himself after reading reports police were probing connections 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."
Robert Murat has worked for the police as a translatorRobert Murat has worked for the police as a translator
Briton Robert Murat, 33, is the only formal suspect in the case.
Mr Malinka is believed to have designed a website for Mr Murat's property business.
Following his release, Mr Malinka said 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."
Speaking later he refused to comment on reports that there were several mobile phone calls between himself and Mr Murat on the night Madeleine disappeared.
'Honest and normal'
He did confirm that his name was in Mr Murat's phone, adding: "They have been questioning everybody in his phone book."
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.
Joao Marques, a local businessman who uses Mr Malinka's IT services, described him as an "honest, normal young man".Joao Marques, a local businessman who uses Mr Malinka's IT services, described him as an "honest, normal young man".
He had spoken to Mr Malinka, who said he was "very sad and upset with the whole situation because his relationship with Robert Murat is completely professional", he added.
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.
Spanish fans shown film Vigil held for Madeleine
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.
Mr Murat, who previously was based with his ex-wife in Hockering, Norfolk, has recently been living with his mother Jenny, 71, at her villa, Casa Liliana, in Praia da Luz.Mr Murat, who previously was based with his ex-wife in Hockering, Norfolk, has recently been living with his mother Jenny, 71, at her villa, Casa Liliana, in Praia da Luz.
Huge reward On Thursday posters protesting his innocence were put up around Hockering.
The hunt for Madeleine began in the resort town on 3 May after she was taken from the apartment where she was staying.
Spanish fans shown film Vigil held for Madeleine
She disappeared from her bedroom as her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, ate dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant.
The couple have said they will not return to the UK until they have found her.
England's cricketers have become the latest sport stars to lend their support to the search for Madeleine.
At the Test match against the West Indies at Lord's, the team were all wearing yellow ribbons in support of the efforts.
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.
On Wednesday a fighting fund was launched to help cover the cost of the search.
Any money raised not needed for the search for Madeleine would be used to help find missing children in the UK, Portugal and elsewhere.
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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