Madeleine McCann's parents were left frustrated today after a
judge postponed a libel traial against former Portuguese policeman
Goncalo Amaral.
Kate and Gerry McCann flew to Lisbon to attend the opening of the
trial - but a judge has delayed it for a month after Amaral did not
turn up to court.
He missed the start of the trial for health reasons, court
sources said. The trial has been postponed until January 12.
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Kate and Gerry McCann looked disappointed as
they left the Lisbon court today |
[The McCanns] only intend to appear at the opening and I would
expect that they will return to the UK fairly swiftly,' spokesman
Clarence Mitchell said today.
Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's
holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal on May 3, 2007, while
her parents dined with friends nearby.
Despite a massive police investigation and huge publicity
worldwide, Madeleine would now be aged six, has not been found.
Mr Amaral was involved in the initial investigation to find
Madeleine but was later taken off the case.
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Madeleine McCann: Before she went missing in 2007 aged three
and, right, a digital image of how she would potentially
look today, aged six |
In his book, The Truth Of The Lie, he claimed Madeleine was dead
and questioned the McCanns' account that she was taken while they were
eating with friends.
In September a Portuguese judge granted an injunction banning
further sale or publication of the book.
It also banned Mr Amaral from repeating his claims about
Madeleine or her parents.
The injunction came after a year-long campaign by the McCanns'
lawyers to prevent the publication of the book and a subsequent DVD.
Speaking after it was granted, Gerry McCann said false
allegations had done immense damage to the search for their daughter
because Portuguese people would be dissuaded from coming forward with
information.
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Libel trial: Goncalo Amaral was involved in
the initial search for Madeleine |
At the time he said: ‘There's a lot of people in Portugal, who
might have evidence, that believe Madeleine is dead.
‘If people believe that, they won't search for her and they won't
come forward with information.
‘I know for a fact people have been told Madeleine is dead. There
is no evidence to support that and that is unforgivable.’
At one point Portuguese police made Mr and Mrs McCann, from
Rothley, Leicester, 'arguidos', or formal suspects, in their
daughter's disappearance.
They were questioned by detectives but their status was later
lifted. Since then they have continued to campaign to find their
daughter.
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