Search A Light In The Darkness

Friday 15 February 2008

Madeleine police quiz ex-husband of suspect Robert Murat's girlfriend

Police investigating Madeleine McCann's disappearance have requestioned the estranged husband of Robert Murat's girlfriend Michaela Walczuch, it has emerged. (Daily Mail Friday 15th February 2008)

Detectives quizzed pool cleaner Luis Antonio who worked at the Algarve resort the toddler disappeared from in an attempt to uncover new leads. The Portuguese local, 37, was one of five people linked to the Ocean Club questioned by officers last week, newspaper 24 horas reported.

The tabloid did not name the other four - but claimed they too have all been spoken to before by police.

A source told the newspaper: "Several police interviews have been repeated and the statements are being analysed to try to find any lead that could result in a new line of investigation."

Antonio still lives with Walczuch at a flat near the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz despite her relationship with official suspect Robert Murat. Detectives first interviewed him and Walczuch last May but have only ever treated the pair as witnesses.

They have have consistently denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.

24 horas also claimed the investigating judge presiding over the Madeleine McCann probe was considering a prosecution request to extend the judicial secrecy surrounding the case by 90 days. Judge Pedro Frias is already thought to have granted one 90 day extension - crushing Madeleine's parents' hopes of clearing their names at the start of this year. Approval of the application would be a further blow to Gerry and Kate, who have demanded their "arguido" status is lifted following a recent admission by Portuguese police chief Alipio Ribeiro that officers acted "hastily" in making them official suspects.

But an unnamed investigator told the newspaper the missing girl's parents Kate and Gerry could rest assured the police investigation would never be archived