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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Madeleine case papers ruling due | Madeleine case papers ruling due |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| A judge in Portugal is to consider whether the suspects in the Madeleine McCann case should have access to the police files about her disappearance. | A judge in Portugal is to consider whether the suspects in the Madeleine McCann case should have access to the police files about her disappearance. |
| Portuguese law has prevented Robert Murat, 33, and Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, from seeing evidence. | Portuguese law has prevented Robert Murat, 33, and Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, from seeing evidence. |
| But it is now eight months since Mr Murat was made a suspect - a period which ends the first phase of judicial secrecy, although this can be extended. | But it is now eight months since Mr Murat was made a suspect - a period which ends the first phase of judicial secrecy, although this can be extended. |
| Madeleine, four, was last seen in Praia da Luz in Portugal on 3 May last year. | Madeleine, four, was last seen in Praia da Luz in Portugal on 3 May last year. |
| Secrecy move | Secrecy move |
| The eight-month deadline means the local prosecutor must inform his superior why he wants more time and how long he needs. | The eight-month deadline means the local prosecutor must inform his superior why he wants more time and how long he needs. |
| The milestone could have brought an end to the restrictions of judicial secrecy surrounding the case. | The milestone could have brought an end to the restrictions of judicial secrecy surrounding the case. |
| This would have allowed former property developer Mr Murat and the McCanns to see the files of evidence against them. | This would have allowed former property developer Mr Murat and the McCanns to see the files of evidence against them. |
| However, last week the Portuguese prosecutor applied to have the files kept secret, a request that the judge on Monday is likely to agree to. | However, last week the Portuguese prosecutor applied to have the files kept secret, a request that the judge on Monday is likely to agree to. |
| Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for the McCanns, said he expected the files to remain secret for another three months. | |
| Mr Mitchell said he could not say "hand on heart" Portuguese police had the extension approved, but he was "103% certain" that would happen. | |
| 'Living in limbo' | 'Living in limbo' |
| Asked whether Mr Murat's suspect status would be lifted, his lawyer Francisco Pagarete said he did not know but that was what he hoped. | |
| Mr Murat's mother, Jenny, 71, has told the BBC she is angry about what has happened to her son, who was the first person in the case to be made an "arguido" - official suspect. | Mr Murat's mother, Jenny, 71, has told the BBC she is angry about what has happened to her son, who was the first person in the case to be made an "arguido" - official suspect. |
| I know he didn't leave the house that night Jenny Murat | I know he didn't leave the house that night Jenny Murat |
| She said he had been living in "limbo" since he was made a suspect on 14 May last year. | She said he had been living in "limbo" since he was made a suspect on 14 May last year. |
| "It's almost been a nothing," she said of the period. "It's just in my mind 24 hours a day." | "It's almost been a nothing," she said of the period. "It's just in my mind 24 hours a day." |
| An extension to Mr Murat's suspect status could be granted on the grounds that the case is one of "exceptional complexity". | An extension to Mr Murat's suspect status could be granted on the grounds that the case is one of "exceptional complexity". |
| Madeleine's parents are also both arguidos in the case. | Madeleine's parents are also both arguidos in the case. |
| Mrs Murat told the BBC that on the night Madeleine was last seen, she and her son had been together at her villa in Praia da Luz. | Mrs Murat told the BBC that on the night Madeleine was last seen, she and her son had been together at her villa in Praia da Luz. |
| "I know he didn't leave the house that night," she said. | "I know he didn't leave the house that night," she said. |
| She said she was frustrated at how long he had been a suspect - "and really quite angry that we have been involved in it". | She said she was frustrated at how long he had been a suspect - "and really quite angry that we have been involved in it". |
| But she added: "My strength is that we have told the truth right from the beginning." | But she added: "My strength is that we have told the truth right from the beginning." |
| Cards boost | Cards boost |
| Mrs Murat said she and her son had received many cards from people offering their support. | Mrs Murat said she and her son had received many cards from people offering their support. |
| "It really makes you feel so good that people are thinking about you," she said. | "It really makes you feel so good that people are thinking about you," she said. |
| Madeleine was last seen in Praia da Luz on 3 May last year | Madeleine was last seen in Praia da Luz on 3 May last year |
| "I know that it's given Robert a terrific boost." | "I know that it's given Robert a terrific boost." |
| The BBC's Alison Roberts in Portugal said there was no obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on Monday's developments. | The BBC's Alison Roberts in Portugal said there was no obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on Monday's developments. |
| She said: "In no case is there any obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on these developments, nor is it normal for them to do so. | She said: "In no case is there any obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on these developments, nor is it normal for them to do so. |
| "If there is a change in the status of a suspect or suspects, that normally emerges through the lawyers." | "If there is a change in the status of a suspect or suspects, that normally emerges through the lawyers." |
| Last Tuesday, it was reported that prosecutors had begun moves to re-interview people involved in the case. | Last Tuesday, it was reported that prosecutors had begun moves to re-interview people involved in the case. |
| Among those that could be spoken to are Mr and Mrs McCann themselves and the friends they dined with in Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine was last seen. | Among those that could be spoken to are Mr and Mrs McCann themselves and the friends they dined with in Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine was last seen. |