Madeleine McCann: German Prisoner Identified as Suspect, #42

[Denis R Tandib]

He has already spoken (through his letters) to several journalists and so-called 'researchers', so I am not sure what else there is to say

Perhaps he has a plausible reason for why the prosecutors have him in the frame for MM.

 

[Anxala]

Prison assessments regarding cooperation and behaviour, maybe.

Again, mentioned in the article.

But, just an objective take here, since it's important to remain objective and not get drawn into the 'he's guilty of everything he's ever been accused of' noise:

CB begun his prison sentence in Dec 2019. Six months later, in June 2020, he was named by HCW as the abductor and murderer of MM.

If it's the case that CB has nothing whatsoever to do with MM's disappearance, then it's hardly surprising that he, at the brunt of the media hysteria that ensued in the aftermath of that announcement to this day, may not have been up for being the most co-operative or model of prisoners.

In any case, I'm sure the PEC, with all this background at its fingertips, will apply the appropriate guards.

 

[C.greek]

Again, mentioned in the article.

But, just an objective take here, since it's important to remain objective and not get drawn into the 'he's guilty of everything he's ever been accused of' noise:

CB begun his prison sentence in Dec 2019. Six months later, in June 2020, he was named by HCW as the abductor and murderer of MM.

If it's the case that CB has nothing whatsoever to do with MM's disappearance, then it's hardly surprising that he, at the brunt of the media hysteria that ensued in the aftermath of that announcement, may not have been up for being the most co-operative of prisoners.

I would see it differently. The reason he should be subject to close monitoring isn’t about whether he did or didn’t cooperate in prison after 2020, but because he is a repeat sexual predator. That’s what happens with other serious sexual offenders, and it’s standard practice given the risks they pose.
CB has a long history of serious crimes, including the rape of DM and several convictions in Germany for sexual abuse of children.
The psychiatric report described him as a psychopath based on his past offending and police files, not on media hype. Even his own lawyer has admitted the current reports “do not show a positive social prognosis". IMO these do not relate to his behaviour and/or non-cooperation in his current prison sentence.

So the rationale for close monitoring is clear: his established record and his assessed high risk of reoffending, not how he chose to respond once named in 2020. Jmo

 

[Davieson]

Its really more a question of how the appropriate authourity will view his risk to the public.
I'm sure they will have far more experience and knowledge than you or I in these matters.

 

[C.greek]

Its really more a question of how the appropriate authourity will view his risk to the public.
I'm sure they will have far more experience and knowledge than you or I in these matters.

Definitely, this applies also as to why the prosecutors are seeing him responsible for MM's demise. They have far more experience and knowledge than us. But we can always speculate and discuss these, no?

 

[Davieson]

When something will be resolved in a few days, I'm more of a wait and see kind of guy.

 

[frank-cole]

Definitely, this applies also as to why the prosecutors are seeing him responsible for MM's demise. They have far more experience and knowledge than us. But we can always speculate and discuss these, no?

Spot on. It’s also about being sensible. It is sensible to track a serial sexual offender, especially given that he has refused all prison offers from psychiatric experts to help rehabilitate him.

I was going use one of his previous crimes & an unrelated crime to elaborate on this point, but it seems that the childish reporting game is back going again.

 

[Davieson]

If monitoring is standard procedure, then there should have been no need for for prosecutors to raise the issue.

 

[Hygge]

Latest interview with Wolters about MM and CBs release:

Maddie case: Prosecutor does not give up - despite release of Christian B.​

He is the face of one of the largest criminal cases in Europe – and soon a free man.
Christian B., the main suspect in the Maddie McCann case, is expected to leave detention next week (mid-September). For the investigators, this is now beginning to be a tremor: Will the convicted sex offender strike again? Can he just go into hiding? And what does his release mean for the search for Maddie?

"A free man like you and me"​

After seven years in prison, Christian B. is released. "Basically, someone who has served his prison sentence is again a free man like you and me," says Chief Public Prosecutor Christian Wolters in the RTL interview. But the concern remains: According to the psychiatric report, the 48-year-old is considered a highly dangerous sex offender with a considerable risk of relapse. His previous acts: serious rape, sexual abuse of children.

Prosecutor demands anklet for Christian B.​

In order to reduce the danger, the Braunschweig Public Prosecutor's Office has applied for strict requirements: management supervision, reporting obligations - and an electronic anklet. This is quite common among convicted sex offenders who have also committed more serious crimes. We hope that the court will see it the same way in this case," emphasizes Wolters. The anklet would be the toughest measure that is legally possible. But it also has weaknesses: "We see where he is in real time, but it takes time until forces are on site," explains the chief prosecutor.


In addition, the data of the anklets can only be evaluated throughout Germany.Therefore, there is a risk that Christian B. will leave the country. The public prosecutor's office has requested that he needs the court's approval before traveling abroad - but whether he will comply with it is questionable. "The danger that someone will dive is always there. And in free Europe it is certainly greater than it used to be," warns Wolters. Disappearing within Europe is “relatively easy”.

No therapy, no resocialization​

Resocialization, actually the goal of every prison sentence, had hardly taken place with him. "Admittedly, Christian B. has now come a bit short," admits Wolters. The 48-year-old was often isolated in prison, without exits or relaxations. “So this is really going to be such a cold start. At the moment we also do not know where Christian B. will take up residence, whether he has an apartment, whether he will move in somewhere. So we have to be surprised there too.”

He never attended therapy in prison. His right to keep secret protects him not only in court, but also from psychiatrists. Because if you give information there, then the expert can also be introduced by the expert in court. And then it's almost as if you had told the court or the public prosecutor's office itself," explains Christian Wolters.

Maddie investigations continue​

For the prosecutor's office, he remains the main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. "The investigation into the Maddie case continues regardless of the dismissal. This has no influence on this," emphasizes Wolters. "It is not that we are conducting proceedings against Christian B. here just to convict Christian B., but we are conducting proceedings to clarify what happened to Maddie McCann."

For seven years, the Braunschweig investigators have been searching for the decisive information. In June 2025 there was the last major search operation in Portugal - houses, wells, forests were combed with excavators and ground radar. Wolters clarifies in an interview with RTL: "It's not that we just want to dig up a bit of land somewhere in Portugal, but if we take measures, it's because we have very concrete clues."

A strange feeling"​

The frustration is noticeable. "If you are of course of the opinion that you have the right one, then this is of course always a strange feeling and may in a certain way also be unsatisfactory if you cannot provide proof in the end. But you have to see it sporty," says Wolters. And further, it is necessary to find the evidence that is sufficient for an accusation in the Maddie case. “We have exactly one way to go to court. That's why we want to be as well positioned as possible.”

The investigation continues, but Christian B. is released. Whether he will remain unpunished outside the prison walls is uncertain. "That would be desirable for everyone - including for him, but above all for possible victims," says Wolters. Words that act like a warning.

Maddie-Hauptverdächtiger ist bald frei – Staatsanwalt kämpft weiter

Kann Christian B. jetzt einfach verschwinden? Das sagt der Mann, der nicht aufgibt.

www.rtl.de

 

[RichardKimble]

For seven years, the Braunschweig investigators have been searching for the decisive information. In June 2025 there was the last major search operation in Portugal - houses, wells, forests were combed with excavators and ground radar. Wolters clarifies in an interview with RTL: "It's not that we just want to dig up a bit of land somewhere in Portugal, but if we take measures, it's because we have very concrete clues."

Snipped from the RTL article above, is something lost in translation in talk of very concrete clues or are these clues not so definitive as HCW makes out bearing in mind he's talked of concrete evidence for 5 yrs or more.

 

[C.greek]

If monitoring is standard procedure, then there should have been no need for for prosecutors to raise the issue.

They were asking specifically for electronic monitoring

 

[frank-cole]

They were asking specifically for electronic monitoring

Interesting comments from HCW. Thankfully they are very driven to safeguard the public, therefore applying for safeguarding measure is sensible.

Can somebody clarify his comment about seeing the psychiatrist in prison? It reads like if he said something to the psychiatrist then it could be reported in court, therefore, unsurprisingly he’s refused any treatment or intervention. I wasn’t sure how impartial a prison psychiatrist should be around things said in confidence, especially if he makes no reference to the crime.

“Exactly one way to go to court”. Then they should directly appeal for the thing they need to go that way.

 

[Denis R Tandib]

Snipped from the RTL article above, is something lost in translation in talk of very concrete clues or are these clues not so definitive as HCW makes out bearing in mind he's talked of concrete evidence for 5 yrs or more.

A while back SuperdadV8 explained that ‘concrete’ just means that they have evidence like a direct witness statement, or digital clue. It is different to hearsay which wouldn’t be considered concrete but it doesn’t have any bearing on the quality of the clue or evidence. Perhaps a German speaker can clarify further.

Given this definition, they probably have several pieces of concrete evidence like the phone call and the Jag which are suspicious but I doubt it’s moved much further in the last five years.

I think the size of the prize is keeping the investigation open.

 

[Monic]

They were asking specifically for electronic monitoring

He was cleared, so I think he will not receive any electronic montering

 

[C.greek]

He was cleared, so I think he will not receive any electronic montering

What do you mean?

 

[Davieson]

Interesting comments from HCW. Thankfully they are very driven to safeguard the public, therefore applying for safeguarding measure is sensible.

Can somebody clarify his comment about seeing the psychiatrist in prison? It reads like if he said something to the psychiatrist then it could be reported in court, therefore, unsurprisingly he’s refused any treatment or intervention. I wasn’t sure how impartial a prison psychiatrist should be around things said in confidence, especially if he makes no reference to the crime.

“Exactly one way to go to court”. Then they should directly appeal for the thing they need to go that way.

I read that as meaning only one chance to go to court.

 

[frank-cole]

What do you mean?

I think they’ve said that there has previously been tagging dangerous sex offenders who opt out of therapy. So there’s precedent for this. However maybe the circumstances vary. E.g somebody released early.

 

[frank-cole]

A while back SuperdadV8 explained that ‘concrete’ just means that they have evidence like a direct witness statement, or digital clue. It is different to hearsay which wouldn’t be considered concrete but it doesn’t have any bearing on the quality of the clue or evidence. Perhaps a German speaker can clarify further.

Given this definition, they probably have several pieces of concrete evidence like the phone call and the Jag which are suspicious but I doubt it’s moved much further in the last five years.

I think the size of the prize is keeping the investigation open.

Challenging to explore nuances from a second language. Superdad or Hyke may add weight to this.

In the interest of context - they’ve also described the evidence as very strong and how sure they are because of the strength of the evidence they have.

I don’t think a phone ping & a jaguar would make a team of murder detectives & prosecutors think it was “it was absolutely clear it was a homicide”

Like or loath him, HCW isn’t one man band out to make somebody’s day or break somebody’s heart. I guess in a Hollywood romcom you’d get that type of character. But imo, it’s important to connect with the fact that he’s speaking on behalf of a large team who’ve come to the conclusions he’s sharing.

 

[PoisonPill]

5 years in jail for violent rape... Western European criminal justice truly is something to behold.

 

[Davieson]

5 years in jail for violent rape... Western European criminal justice truly is something to behold.

CB got 7 years.
A second rape offence may attract more, but certainly Europe doesn't generally go in for the draconian measures of some other countries