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| Madeleine McCann suspects questioned by Portugal police | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A number of suspects are being questioned by police in Portugal over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the BBC understands. | |
| They have been identified as suspects by British police and were due to attend a police station in the Algarve region "of their own free will". | |
| British police will sit in on the questioning but only Portuguese officers will ask questions. | |
| Madeleine was three years old when she went missing in Praia da Luz in 2007. | |
| 'Arguidos' | 'Arguidos' |
| It is unclear exactly how many people will be questioned, but the BBC was told two weeks ago that up to eight people may be quizzed. | It is unclear exactly how many people will be questioned, but the BBC was told two weeks ago that up to eight people may be quizzed. |
| All are Portuguese nationals, although some of those being interviewed are Russian-born. | All are Portuguese nationals, although some of those being interviewed are Russian-born. |
| They will be made "arguidos" - people of interest - after they meet police. | They will be made "arguidos" - people of interest - after they meet police. |
| The first person will go to a police station on Tuesday in either Portimao or Faro. The interviews will take place over two or more days. | The first person will go to a police station on Tuesday in either Portimao or Faro. The interviews will take place over two or more days. |
| Renewed activity | Renewed activity |
| Earlier in June, Portuguese and British police searched three sites in the Praia da Luz resort, but found no evidence relating to the case. | Earlier in June, Portuguese and British police searched three sites in the Praia da Luz resort, but found no evidence relating to the case. |
| Scotland Yard said at the time that "more activity" had been agreed with Portuguese police and the searches were the "first phase" of a major investigation. | Scotland Yard said at the time that "more activity" had been agreed with Portuguese police and the searches were the "first phase" of a major investigation. |
| At the scene | |
| Jeremy Cooke, BBC News at Faro Police Station | |
| Outside the Policia Judiciaria headquarters in Faro a small group of reporters and TV crews is gathered on the pavement. | |
| There is little sign of activity inside the unassuming white-rendered building, which is set in a quiet cobbled street. | |
| But it is believed that, just before 09:00 local time, the first of several suspects in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann arrived to be questioned. | |
| Several suspects or "arguidos" have been identified following the latest investigations by Scotland Yard detectives. | |
| Each is expected to appear voluntarily before police in the coming days. The interviews will be conducted by Portuguese police officers with British detectives observing proceedings. | |
| Sources close to the case in Portugal told the BBC that at least one of the arguidos is of Russian extraction. | |
| The searches were the most significant in the local area since Madeleine went missing seven years ago. | The searches were the most significant in the local area since Madeleine went missing seven years ago. |
| Her parents had been at a restaurant near their apartment when the three-year-old went missing. | Her parents had been at a restaurant near their apartment when the three-year-old went missing. |
| The developments come after the Met launched Operation Grange - a fresh investigation into Madeleine's disappearance - last July. | The developments come after the Met launched Operation Grange - a fresh investigation into Madeleine's disappearance - last July. |