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Police chief says 'we were too hasty' in naming McCanns as suspects

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2251481,00.html

Alípio Ribeiro Portugal's most senior police officer has suggested that detectives may have been too hasty in making the McCanns official suspects in the investigation into the disappearance of their daughter, Madeleine.

A local reservoir is being searched, and a possible link to a missing Spanish boy.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/u...ssing-boy-to-madeleine-mccann-86908-20309039/

Jeremy Vargas vanished from his home in Gran Canaria just eight weeks before four-year-old Madeleine went missing in Praia da Luz.

Detectives hunting for the boy have told his parents they are now working closely with cops in Portugal.

. . . Yesterday, divers continued to search a reservoir for Madeleine's body following a tip-off from an underworld source to a lawyer. The search at Barragem do Arade - 40 miles from Praia da Luz - is being funded by Marcos Correia, who claims he was told she was murdered and thrown into a lake last May.

Correia, who would not reveal his source, said: "I am convinced this is the place."

Click to expand...

http://portugalresident.com/portugalresident/showstory.asp?ID=24309

Another link, from Portugal media, about the Attorney's search.

Salem

A summary of news from PT today:

(Copied from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1202065806&page=7 post #91)

http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=276431&idselect=10&idCanal=10&p=200

Antonio Cluny, the president of the Magistrates' Union, considers it is 'extremely worrying' that the ND of the PJ makes any comments about pending processes, and asks for such situations not to be repeated. A source that is close to Mr Ribeiro speaks of misinterpretation, saying his words meant to say that if the McCanns had remained as witnesses, they might not have left to England as soon as they did, and might have been more cooperative with Justice. The suspicions of the PJ about the McCann couple remain unchanged. The underwater searches that were comissioned by a lawyer from Madeira, in the reservoir near Silves, continue.

http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?idCanal=232&id=276438
http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?idCanal=239&id=276439

Two opinion articles have been translated by Li and posted by HappyDog.

The statements of Alípio Ribeiro generate dissatisfaction in the Criminal Police

JOSÉ MANUEL OLIVEIRA

The inspectors are against the statements made by the national director

The discontent is installed amidst the inspectors of the Judicial Police (PJ) of Algarve. The problem were the statements made by the national director, Alípio Ribeiro, to the programme "Diga lá Excelência" of the RR and to the newspaper Público, in which he acknowledges there has been "some haste" to constitute arguidos Gerry and Kate McCann for the supposed death of their daughter Madeleine ,nine months ago, in Praia da Luz, near Lagos, where the family spent holidays and the child disappeared. The researchers continue to suspect of the involvement of the British couple in the concealment of the body of the girl on the night of May 3, 2007, although the results of the samples of blood and hair collected are not conclusive.

When the mother of Maddie was heard on 6 and 7 September,at the Department of Criminal Investigation (DIC) of Portimão of the PJ, several inspectors wanted to arrest her. However, the public prosecutor of Portimão, José Magalhães e Menezes, objected to. Even so, and already after Gerry and Kate have returned to the United Kingdom, some researchers involved in the process maintained the conviction that they have evidence that could lead to the preventive arrest of the couple. Only the political pressure from the British have prevented them from going further.

The DN found, that there are people in the PJ that understand that the new declarations of Alípio Ribeiro are nothing more than a situation of bluff, and were only meant to "test waters".

In the interpretation of some inspectors,when the national director of the Judicial Police talked about "precipitation" in the constitution of Madeleine's parents as defendants, that still remain subjected to Term of identity and residence in England, he did it to "see what were the reactions of the McCanns and also the Portuguese. "

Other researchers have confessed their "dissatisfaction" by the assertions of Alípio Ribeiro, saying "it's difficult to work in a country that most resembles a banana Republic. The more you do you can not make a difference" .

Astonished and speechless facing the interview of the national director of the PJ is the lawyer of the Portuguese-British Robert Murat, the first to be constituted defendant in Madeleine's case on May 14, 2007, on suspicion of kidnapping, and after his mother's house was passed through fine comb, about two hundred meters of the apartment of The Ocean Club, where the child disappeared, as well as the inspection to the family's car. "I find this all very strange",said yesterday to the DN Francisco Pagarete.

With a sad voice,the lawyer refused to make more comments. He did not mention if he is also considering requiring to the MP the withdrawal of the status of arguido of Robert Murat. "It is a situation that I have not yet looked at," noted the lawyer which, as the DN advanced at the time, bet in the closure of the case concerning his client from November 13, 2007, when seven months since he was accused were completed. "I do not intend to make any comment in relation to the statements.I will not react in any way," insisted the lawyer, not hiding his surprise by the considerations outlined by the maximum responsible of the PJ.
http://dn.sapo.pt

(from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1202065806&page=6 post #75)

Investigation: the suspicion concerning the couple continues
Magistrate asks silence to the Director of the Criminal Police

The experience of Alípio Ribeiro as a magistrate "perhaps" had led him "to another evaluation," he said to the Radio Renascença about the decision of the public prosecutor (MP) in constituting the McCanns arguidos.Meanwhile a source close to the national director of the PJ told the CM that when he spoke of "precipitation" he was misinterpreted, the President of the Association of Magistrates of the Public Prosecutors responds: "I do not know if he is right or not, but this conduct of speaking about pending cases is extremely worrying. "


Anthony Cluny says he does not know the process, but what "concerns him is starting to see that the high responsible for the legal institutions do not restrain themselves to comment on pending cases - which can lead precisely to misinterpretation. " And he leaves an implicit appeal to the Director of the PJ, " this kind of situation should not be repeated: it's needed containment and reserves in the speech" from now on.

In any case, the CM found that the suspicions of the PJ on the McCanns concerning the eventual death of their daughter remain. And a source close to Alípio Ribeiro says that the words of the director will have been in the sense that if Kate and Gerry had been kept witnesses, as would dictate the new Criminal Procedure Code (CPP), "perhaps they had not depart immediateyl to England . And they would be more cooperative with the Justice. "

The day the PJ decided to tighten the siege to the McCanns,with searches and interviews of 11 hours to Kate, for example, "there was no other option but to constitute them arguidos" - we were on September 7 and the new CPP came into force a week later. The current law requires that there is a "reasonable suspicion" to constitute anyone arguido and, until September 15, "any suspicion that existed obliged to that constitution."

The suspects benefited with the measure taken and " the investigation was undermined." If the Public Prosecutor had expected one week for the new law, "it would be possible to keep them as witnesses and they would be more cooperative with the following steps."

Instead, we are seeing for more than two months an attempt to question the friends of the couple, by rogatory letters that, as the CM published last week, have not yet left the Attorney General's Office.

"THERE WAS A PRECIPITATION": Alípio Ribeiro, director of the PJ

-Do you consider that there was a precipitation in constituting arguidos Kate and Gerry McCann?

Alípio Ribeiro - Today, at this distance, with the experience I have as a public prosecutor - although the constitution of defendants in investigations ... the Director of the Judicial Police does not give orders - perhaps another evaluation should have been made. I have no doubt about that.

- Was there some precipitation?

- There was some precipitation.
***************
Precipitation as "An unexpected acceleration or hastening"

(from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1202065806&page=6 post #80)


http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?idCanal=21&id=276443

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who is one of the most popular commentators on Portuguese tv, said that Mr Ribeiro's statements are 'very grave' and that they have killed the PJ's investigation.

http://dn.sapo.pt/2008/02/04/sociedade/alipio_ribeiro_gera_malestar_judicia.html

Diario de Noticias reports that Mr Ribeiro's words have created an ill feeling within the PJ, because the investigators still suspect that the parents were involved in the concealment of the child's corpse. Several investigators wanted to detain Mrs McCann when she was questioned on September 6/7, and even after the McCanns returned to England, some investigators remained convinced that they had enough evidence to request the preventive imprisonment of the couple. Only the political pressure from the English prevented this from happening. Some people at the PJ believe that Mr Ribeiro was 'testing the waters' to watch for reactions. Others have expressed their 'insatisfaction' over his words. Mr Pagarete, Murat's lawyer, could hardly conceal his surprise over Mr Ribeiro's statements. He did not comment, but it is reported that he found the whole situation very strange.

http://jn.sapo.pt/2008/02/04/policia_e_tribunais/casal_cann_pretende_deixar_ser_argui.html

Jornal de Noticias reports about Mr Mitchell demanding that the McCanns be immediately relieved of their arguido status, and stating that they are innocent.

http://24horasnewspaper.com/total.php?numero=2757&link=11

24Horas reports that the McCanns forgive the PJ and that they want their arguido status removed so they can fully cooperate with the Policia Judiciaria. The Public Prosecutor's Office states that the McCanns' processual status will be reappreciated 'in due time'. The McCanns issued no comments about the searches that are being carried out by the lawyer from Madeira, in the Silves reservoir. The lawyer, Marcos Aragao, says he has the support of Metodo 3, although the searches are being entirely financed by himself.

http://diariodigital.sapo.pt/news.asp?section_id=13&id_news=316886

Diario Digital extensively reports about Mr Cluny's comment, as the head of the Magistrates' Union asked for the observation of the Duty of Reserve, i.e. that those who lead judiciary or parajudiciary institutions should not comment on open processes. This seems to be a new trend in Portugal: everyone thinks he/she has a right to comment on everything, even against clear ethical guidance rules that are mentioned in the Law.

http://www.rr.pt/InformacaoDetalhe.aspx?AreaId=23&SubAreaId=79&ContentId=235356

Radio Renancenca also reports on Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa saying, yesterday evening on tv, that Mr Ribeiro's statements were extremely serious and have 'killed' the Judiciaria's investigation.

http://www.tvi.iol.pt/informacao/noticia.php?id=911337

TVI reports that the McCanns have asked to stop being arguidos. This morning, the news on TVI were reporting that their arguido status would only be reappreciated 'in due time', according to what has been stated by the Public Prosecution Office.

http://www.destak.pt/artigos.php?art=7743

Destak, a free daily newspaper, cites Rogerio ALves, one of the Portuguese lawyers that represent the McCanns, as saying that he is pondering the presentation of a request to relieve the McCanns from arguido status, and to make them assistants in the process, which they would have become if they hadn't been made arguidos (assistant is a status that basically is given to the victim, or to the victim's next of kin, as assistants to the Public Prosecution).

From Sky News:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1303934,00.html?f=rss

The frogmen are trawling for clues in Silves, 40 miles from where the British girl vanished in Praia da Luz.

But Brian Healey, 67, said: "They haven't found anything yet. We have to believe a miracle can happen.

"I still believe she is alive and, until someone tells me different, I will believe."

The divers are not police officers and detectives have already checked the reservoir and ruled it out.

The current search is being paid for by a Portuguese lawyer who claims to have underworld contacts.

Click to expand...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,329272,00.html

Report: Top Portuguese Cop Says There Are More Important Things to Do Than Find Madeleine McCann

Thursday, February 07, 2008
A high-ranking Portuguese police official declared Thursday that his colleagues have more important things to do than try to find missing British girl Madeleine McCann.
The shocking admission, published in the Portuguese newspaper 24 Horas, came as police were reportedly preparing an "exit strategy" from the case, sources told the newspaper.
"There are bigger problems in the PJ than the Maddie case," Carlos Anjos, head of the Judicial Police (PJ) Inspectors Union, told the newspaper.
Anjos' comments followed a statement by the national director of the PJ, Alipio Ribeiro, in which he admitted that authorities had acted "hastily" in making Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, formal suspects in their daughter's disappearance.

Click to expand...

More at link

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3327947.ece

Just an old article on Metodo 3. Thought it was kinda interesting.

Salem

in Correio da Manha today (2/5):

http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=276540&idselect=9&idCanal=9&p=200

Copied from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=latest&action=display&thread=1197741018&page=6 post # 88

Maddie case prompts crisis within Justice
Director's statements open new war at the PJ

After having set Gonçalo Amaral aside because of public statements from the officer that was in charge of the Maddie case investigation, the national director is now under fire for having said, also publicly, that there was 'precipitation' from the entity that he directs and from the Public Ministry in constituting the McCanns as arguidos.

Alipio Ribeiro's statements contradict what he defended himself about the Maddie case earlier on (see column with citations) and are classified as 'very serious' by judges and prosecutors, but also by high-ranking officials within the Judiciaria, who did not appreciate the director's stance. CM asked the Ministry of Justice whether Alipio Ribeiro, a longtime friend of [Justice Minister] Alberto Costa, has the necessary conditions to remain in his post, but until this edition closed, there was no reply. The Public Prosecutor's Office has also remained silent.

An exclusive decision for the PJ

The Public Ministry agreed, but the decision to make Kate and Gerry McCann arguidos was taken by Goncalo Amaral, a coordinator at the PJ and the official who was formerly in charge of the case. He took "a decision that was exclusively from the PJ, which has autonomy within the investigation", a senior police officer recalls for CM. And he adds: "The national director speaks of precipitation now, based on his experience as a prosecutor within the Public Ministry - but, by doing this, he is distancing himself from the entity that he directs, in order to position himself alongside the magistrature."

Alipio Ribeiro's statements didn't go well with the PJ's high-ranking officials, having been seen "once again" as coming from "someone who does not defend his police, and who likes to reaffirm his status as a magistrate under these situations - more balanced than policemen when it is time to make decisions".

Another leading PJ official says that this is not the first time that the national director has surprised with his public statements. When he was questioned by journalists over the role that the Public Ministry's special team, lead by prosecutor Helena Fazenda, has in fighting crime in Oporto nightlife, Alipio Ribeiro said it was "to investigate. But he showed a complete lack of knowledge because the processes that concern those crimes were already being investigated by the PJ in Oporto..."

Searches in the Arade reservoir have been suspended

The searches that have been comissioned by Madeira lawyer Marcos Aragão in the Arade reservoir, near Portimao, were suspended yesterday, and today it was not yet known whether they would continue. The decision was prompted by the divers' tiredness, due to the difficulties they encountered in exploring the area. At the reservoir's bottom, visibility is almost none and the divers search only with their hands.

Marcos Aragao is determined not to abandon the searches. He is convinced that Madeleine's body was dumped in that location, and the lawyer guaranteed to CM that "until the reservoir is completely searched" he has no reasons "to doubt the leads". Leads that he states he collected, but which he does not reveal.

During the four days that the searches in the reservoir have lasted for, the divers only found a rope made out of blinds' strings and a piece of wood. The operation started on Thursday and lasted until Sunday. Marcos Aragão guarantees that he has spent approximately five thousand euros out of his own pocket.

Alipio Ribeiro's contradictions

- "I don't see that as predictable [changing coercion measures on the couple], even though it is a decision that is for the Public Ministry to make, which has accompanied the entire investigation because its direction belongs to them. It is obvious that they will evaluate the situation, but I don't see a need for that, at the moment." September 10, on RTP

- "All the investigation lines will remain open. There will only be conclusions drawn at the end. At this moment, it would be speculation and none of us wants to prompt speculation because that would hurt the investigation. This is not an easy investigation." October 10, during a press conference

- "[The rogatory letter to interrogate the McCann couple's friends] is ready and will travel to England with a team, within days. [...] The investigation lacks a click." October 21, to 'El Pais'

Lawyers explore statement

The Portuguese lawyers that represent the McCanns, Carlos Pinto de Abreu and Rogerio Alves, didn't loose any time, and after Alipio Ribeiro's words were published, they revealed that they are pondering a request to change Kate and Gerry's status in the process: from arguidos to assistants.

"Normally, the arguido situation runs until the end of the inquiry. But during the inquiry there can be a change of status", the former head of the Bar explained, and admitted to request the change from arguido status to that of assistants to the Public Ministery "in short term".

Reactions

"Offend the Police and the Public Ministery" Rui Rangel, Judge

"The statements from the PJ's director are what is precipitated, extremely serious and needless. They show a lack of responsibility and they offend the credibility of the PJ and the Public Ministry."

"Those are complicated statements" António Martins, Judge

"Those are complicated statements, internally for the Policia Judiciaria to begin with, in the relationship between that police force and the Public Ministery, and for him personally."

"It is serious. He could not speak out." Fernando Negrao, Former Director of the PJ

"Those are serious statements. And there was precipitation, yes, but from the PJ's director. It is not a part of his job to speak out about about a process that is under investigation and which has a person that is responsible for it, who is the prosecutor."

(...)

I'm stealing this translation from 3A's - posted by Li - it's today's (2/11) 24Horas article:

.............

The trial of Kate and Gerry McCann will be held in Portugal if they are accused

The public prosecutor of Portimão has a problem in his hands and only the new questioning to Maddie's parents can solve the case. The bet is from the judge

Text Carlos Tomás

In the edge of the sword. All the investigation of Maddie's case runs the risk to return to zero. The PJ was unable till know to reunite any evidence that allows the public prosecutor of Portimão, Magalhães e Menezes to accuse without doubt the four arguidos in the process.
The public prosecutor wants, according to judicial sources, to advance with an accusation based on the strong belief of the judge who has the process, Pedro Frias.
"The truth is that evidence collected are not 100% conclusive. But everything points out to the involvement of the parents in the disappearance of the child. From the vestiges of blood found in the flat to the DNA tests and the evidence collected in the car rented by the couple 25 days after the disappearance. The testimonies also don't leave doubts. But in the end there isn't a heavy evidence. It's all a question of strong belief" said a judicial source.
The same source adds: "All the evidence depends of the results that will be obtained after the rogatory letter that was already sent to England. We expect to find contradictions between the depositions made by the McCanns and their friends. The key to the mystery may be in these new depositions but is a very tiny hope because the couple and their friends have been meeting to get their stories right when confronted with the authorities".

The Public Prosecutor has "the hot potato" in his hands

Magalhães e Menezes, has acording to several PJ sources contacted by the 24 Horas a "hot potato in his hands".
If he shelves the case all the public opinion will criticise him. If he accuses we won't get ride of all the pressures that have been a constant in this case, not only by the McCanns but also by their defenders and the British media that have been doing everything to denigrate the image of the Portuguese authorities" said a high responsible in the General's Attorney Office.
*******************

"Prosecute the McCanns? I don't believe"

"An accusation against the McCanns? I don't believe. They are suffering in double. They lost a daughter and they are considered suspects? And what about the evidence? I want to believe that the process against them will be shelved. I hope that the case does not go to trial. Based in what? The important is to discover the truth. That is what the authorities must do. I understand that some mistakes might have occurred in the initial phase of the investigation, but that is not McCanns fault". These are the words of the McCanns lawyer Carlos Pinto de Abreu. If the McCanns are prosecuted they will have to return to Portugal to the trial. "In this case if that happens, the trial will take place in Portugal. I don't see any motives to be held in another country. The trials take place in the country where the crime took place", confirmed the lawyer.
http://www.24horasnewspaper.com/total.p ... 63&link=15 (bad link)
Copied from: http://the3arguidos.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3626&p=58522#p58522

**A big thank you to Li, who gave me permission to copy her translations.

http://www.24horasnewspaper.com/total.php?numero=2764&link=09
Copied from: http://the3arguidos.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3694

2/12/08 24Horas

Faces analysis techniques point to failures in the McCanns description

"The kidnapping thesis is ludicrous"

A 3 dimensional video, made by the team Paulo Sargento and Pedro Gamito ridicules the photo-fits

Text Rute Coelho

The work was made during a week by the forensic psychologist Paulo Sargento in partnership with the technological engineer Pedro Gamito.The team juxtaposed the three photo-fits that existed from the presumable kidnapper and work them in 20 programs of faces analysis.
And dismounted the kidnapping thesis, "The kidnapping thesis is ludicrous" defends Paulo Sargento.
The video begins with the first image of the kidnapper (the faceless man) walking with the kid in his arms. In the subtitles, in English, the researcher questions: "How can the first description of the kidnapper be so vague? 1,70 meters high, dark skin, Mediterranean hair. Six months after the first description a second image: "Is it possible not to see the face of someone that carries a child and notice the beige trousers the brown jacket and the classic shoes?"
The video shows "the intuition form of looking to someone that carries a child".You look from the waist to the head and not from the waist to the feet.
Eight months after, the last photo fit the face of the man with beard and long hair. "We show that this photo-fit is inconsistent with the first one. Curiously it keeps the brown jacket and the dark hair, the only common characteristics", referred to 24 Horas Paulo Sargento.

"Neanderthal style"

The "superciliary arcades" (the frontal cranium behind the eyebrows) are the style of the Neanderthal man and point to an archetype of the criminal" the forensic psychologist comments. "This means that is a hybrid photo fit made to give an appearance from the region of the Maghreb. But why must the kidnapper be from Morocco, Spain or Portugal and cannot be Anglo-Saxon? It would even make more sense to be someone who knew the family routine", he concluded. If the PJ wants to use the video it is available on the Internet.

http://www.portugalresident.com/portugalresident/showstory.asp?s=MADDY&sid=209

Updated: 14 February 2008

Madeleine case may be dropped

By: CECÍLIA PIRES

cecilia@portugalresident.com

THE MADELEINE McCann case may be dropped by Portuguese police if new evidence to sustain the continuity of the investigation is not found, it is believed in the Portuguese judicial sector.
<continues>

This morning, in PT news, there is an article in Correio da Manha which was translated by Li for the 3Arguidos. I'm reposting with permission:

................

2008-02-14

Alberto Costa does not explain the polemic sentence of Alipio

The minister of Justice went yesterday to the Parliament to explain what the national director of the PJ, Alipio Ribeiro, meant when he said that there was a "hasty" in constituting the McCanns arguidos, but after two hours he did not say a lot.

"I don't have and I should not have knowledge of the investigation but I decided that it was my duty to maintain the confidence in the director of the PJ", said Alberto Costa - although Reuters quoted him saying: "We are approaching the conclusion of the case"-, he finished saying that "there is no indication that the process has been affected" by the statement of Alipio Ribeiro.

The minister heard at request of the CDS-PP after he maintained the confidence in the director of the PJ, only got close to a justification for the polemic declaration when he reminded that at 7th of September when the McCanns where made arguidos the penal laws in force where different. "At that time it was not necessary sustained suspicious to constitute anyone arguido", he said, which means that the constitution of the McCanns as arguidos was not made based on sustained suspicions, what reinforces the thesis that the director of the PJ wants to prepare the public opinion to the shelving of the case.

The minister underlined that in United Kingdom and according to a British authority, "80&#37; of the cases alike (to Maddie's) are not solved". He denied also that Alipio Ribeiro has breached the secrecy of law and refused to reveal his opinion about the polemic: "I will never comment public declarations of people that are under my dependency".

NOTES

Without answer

At least two questions made to the minister did not receive an answer.
"The national director was concerted with you in that declaration?", asked Nuno Melo from the CDS.
"Do you think that the declaration is innocuous?" asked Aguiar Branco, MP from the PSD.

http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=277721&idselect=9&idCanal=9&p=200

in Diario de Noticias this morning:

http://dn.sapo.pt/2008/02/14/sociedade/investigacao_terreno_parada_mais_um_.html

Copied from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1202919716&page=4 post #57

On-site investigation stopped for over a month

Inspectors waiting for the rogatory letters

The Policia Judiciaria's on-site investigation into the Maddie case has been on a standby for over a month, since late December. In January, as far as DN was able to establish, the only diligences that were carried out were mainly related to the photofit and were discrete and informal. This happens at a time when the PJ awaits a green light from the English authorities to watch the interrogations of the McCann couple and their friends that were spending holidays with them in Praia da Luz, where the child disappeared from, following the rogatory letters from the Public Ministery that were again sent to England in January. And at a time when it is stated that the investigation is maintained "with the same intensity" both on the theory of the child's accidental death and concealment of the body by her parents, and on the abduction theory. It is also remembered that yesterday, in Parliament, the minister of Justice guaranteed that the recent statement from the PJ's director saying that there was precipitation in the constitution of arguidos, did not affect the investigation. But the same investigation, as far as diligences on the terrain are concerned, is stalled.

The last movements of the PJ in Praia da Luz, surrounded with utmost discretion, took place during the last week of January, when inspectors approached, in an informal way at the hairdresser's where she works, the present partner of Joaquim Marques, the individual whose physiognomy is similar to that of the photofit that had been released, only a few days earlier, by the McCann couple about the alleged suspect of involvement in the disappearance of Madeleine. As DN was able to establish at that time, it was that person, British citizen Rabecca Barnes, who led the police to the house where the couple lives, in the rural area of Barao de Sao Joao, in the council of Lagos. But early on, the PJ dismissed the involvement of Joaquim Marques, aged 30, who had been condemned for raping a young English citizen in Praia da Luz, in 1996, in the disappearance of Maddie.

Approximately two weeks before that diligence, in early January, the investigators spent five minutes in an informal conversation in a parking lot in Praia da Luz, with an English gardener, after an anonymous email had been sent to British newspapers and to the PJ, associating him to the scenario of Maddie's abduction, because of being a "weird" person. The PJ, that did not even consider the possibility of summoning the man for an interrogation, did not attribute any credibility to this lead, as it is suspected that the email that denounced the gardener was sent by someone who had had personal problems with the person.

The Spanish detective agency Metodo3, which was hired by the McCann couple from October 2007 until March 2008, with the purpose of finding Maddie, continues to hear local residents in the Algarve (and elsewhere). For these investigators, no information in any part of the world can be dismissed. Portugal and Morocco are the countries where presently Metodo 3 intensifies its investigations.

The process concerning the rogatory letters, which include approximately fourty questions, is now regarded as the PJ's last trump card to avoid the archiving of the Madeleine case, especially after the tests on the blood that was found in the apartment and in the car that was rented by the parents revealed themselves as inconclusive.

There is an article in 24Horas that reports on comments from Mr Mitchell and from John McCann, demanding to know what the PJ has done to find Madeleine over the last nine months, and saying that the McCanns are afraid that the PJ did not search for Madeleine, as they were busy trying to accuse the parents.

http://24horasnewspaper.com/total.php?numero=2766&link=09

Copied from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1202919716&page=4 post #59
(Thanks to summer)

in 24Horas this morning (2/15):

http://24horasnewspaper.com/total.php?numero=2767&link=24

Copied from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.co...ence&action=display&thread=1202919716&page=15 post #219

Inspectors carried out five new interrogations

Judiciaria returned to the Ocean Club

The investigations into the case of the disappearance of Madeleine are not stalled. And they can be extended for another three months

The Policia Judiciaria returned, last week, to the Ocean Club, the resort from where Madeleine McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007. 24Horas was able to establish that the PJ's investigators went to hear five witnesses that had already given their depositions within the investigation.

According to senior officials in the PJ, these are normal investigative procedures. "Diligences have been carried out every day. A team of twenty investigators remains on the case, led by superior coordinator Paulo Rebelo. Several questionings have been repeated and the statements are being duly analysed to try to find some lead that might open a new investigation line", a judicial official that is connected to the investigations guaranteed to 24Horas yesterday.

Michaela's boyfriend questioned

24Horas was able to establish that one of the persons that were questioned again was the boyfriend of Robert Murat's ex-partner, Michaela Walkzuch, a Portuguese man who used to clean the Ocean Club's pools, called Luis Antonio.

Apart from that, the PJ still waits for the McCanns and the friends with whom they had dinner on the evening of the disappearance to be subject to new interrogations, in fulfillment of the rogatory letter that was sent by the Portuguese authorities. The same judicial source also stressed that a new request to the instruction judge at the Portimao Court, Pedro Frias, who holds the process, is being pondered,to extend the investigation deadline for an additional 90 days, if there is not a brief response to the aforementioned letter.

........

They can rest

The McCanns can rest concerning the investigations into the disappearance of their daughter, because they will not be closed until it is discovered what really happened to the child, an investigator of the case promised to 24Horas. "An investigation of this type is always open and all the clues that keep appearing are duly investigated", he guaranteed.

From Terra Noticias:
http://tinyurl.com/26vw5f

Copied from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.co...ence&action=display&thread=1202919716&page=24 post #351

Mari Luz&#8217;s family increases the reward to 300.000 euros for information leading directly to the little girl.

In statements to Europa Press, Mari Luz&#8217;s father, Juan Jos&#233; Cort&#233;s, explained that direct family members have also decided to sell their possessions with the aim of finding information about what happened to the girl or so that whoever has her releases her after more than a month since her disappearance and that, after more than 3 weeks of the initial reward money being offered, no phone call has yet been received asking for the reward.

In addition, Mari Luz&#8217;s family has not yet formalised the contracting of private detectives to &#8220;help&#8221; in the official investigation, &#8220;although yesterday they were going to formalise the contract with the Metodo 3 agency - which is working on the case of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann &#8211; which is too expensive and cannot guarantee all of the investigation&#8221; adding that &#8220;they are looking into other possibilities&#8221;.

Translation: Li
http://www.the3arguidos.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4036

Text Lu&#237;s Maneta

The McCanns promised to "flow" the south of Spain with 18 thousand posters with the images of the three missing children ' Madeleine, Mari Luz and Yeremi - but the truth is that in Huelva, yesterday, there was no sign of the posters.

"I did not see any poster and we were not informed of anything. There is nothing" said to 24 Horas Lu&#237;s Molina, spokesman of the Cort&#233;s family and uncle of Mari Luz, missing since the 13th of January.
The journalists of a city newspaper also searched for the posters made by the McCanns. "We were aware of the initiative through a news agency and we wanted to photograph them but we could not find any", said Raquel Rend&#243;n journalist of the Spanish newspaper "Huelva Informaci&#243;n".
24 Horas questioned the spokesman of the McCanns about the distribution of the posters in Spain but could not get any reply till now. Clarence Mitchell said yesterday to our newspaper that the posters - in which appear the sentence "No nos olvideis" (Don't forget us) on the top of the photo of the missing children - were distributed in several public places, like schools, railway stations and shopping malls. In Huelva, the city where lives the family of Mari Luz Cort&#233;s and where thousands of people have shown through public demonstrations the support to the child and her family nobody saw them. "An action like this should have been agreed with us but nobody told us anything" said Lu&#237;s Molina. Although he recognises that every initiative aimed to divulge the case "might be important" the spokesman of the Cort&#233;s says that he can't even speak about the content of the posters for a simple reason: "I did not see any".
http://www.24horasnewspaper.com/total.p ... 68&link=08

Google translation:

http://tinyurl.com/2eolr3

Mari Luz's family rejects a joint campaign with Madeleine
EFE - EFE 15 hours - 15 hours
Huelva, February 17 (EFE) .- The parents of Mari Luz Cortes, the girl Huelva disappeared five weeks ago today, have expressed their rejection of the possibility that her daughter appears on posters together with the British Madeleine McCann, to understand that investigations into both disappearances continue different lines. Huelva, February 17 (EFE) .- The parents of Mari Luz Cortes, the girl Huelva disappeared five weeks ago today, have expressed their rejection of the possibility that her daughter appears on posters together with the British Madeleine McCann, to understand that investigations into both disappearances continue different lines.

At a press conference after talks with the president of the regional government of Andalusia, Manuel Chaves, the father of the child, Juan Jose Cortes, explained that had learned that the family intends Madeleine up posters with photos of the two girls boards, as well as with an image of the British girl with the canary Y&#233;remi Vargas. At a press conference after talks with the president of the regional government of Andalusia, Manuel Chaves, the father of the child, Juan Jose Cortes, explained that had learned that the family intends Madeleine up posters with photos of the two girls boards, as well as with an image of the British girl with the canary Y&#233;remi Vargas.

Cortes has gone further to ensure that recourse to lawyers "for taking the picture of our daughter" for this campaign, as explained, the Portuguese press specifies that would forward through the provision of 4,000 euros by each family. Cortes has gone further to ensure that recourse to lawyers "for taking the picture of our daughter" for this campaign, as explained, specifies that the Portuguese would press forward through the provision of 4000 euros by each family.

Mari Luz's father has indicated that the family is not against cooperating with the search for Madeleine, "and even helping to develop a poster with photos of all missing children," but he understood that it is " two different countries, two different lines of research. " Mari Luz's father has indicated that the family is not against cooperating with the search for Madeleine, "and even helping to develop a poster with photos of all missing children," but he understood that it is "two different countries, two different lines of research . "

For his part, Manuel Chaves has explained that it has met today with parents to express all their solidarity, and hope to the family that everything will have a happy ending ", in addition to realize that they had reminded" that they have the full Administration at its disposal to try to find the girl. " For his part, Manuel Chaves has explained that it has met today with parents to express all their solidarity, and hope to the family that everything will have a happy ending ", in addition to realize that they had reminded" that they have the full Administration at its disposal to try to find the girl. "

"I do not know if he serves them consolation, but if something can serve our support, so we wanted to convey directly," he concluded Chaves. "I do not know if he serves them consolation, but if something can serve our support, so we wanted to convey directly," he concluded Chaves.

Juan Jose Cortes said about the interview: "The president has understood the pain that we have, and such meetings help us at least be backed by the government." Juan Jose Cortes said about the interview: "The president has understood the pain that we have, and such meetings help us at least be backed by the government."

http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=278288&idselect=10&idCanal=10&p=200

Copied from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.co...eral&action=display&thread=1203272058&page=16 post #239

Interview
The Judiciaria is paralysed


Carlos Anjos, the president of the Union of Criminal Investigation Workers, says the statements that the PJ's director made about the Maddie case were a mistake. He blames him for the lack of means and the lack of payment of overtime: there are investigations that are doing the minimum services.


What is the ASFIC's position concerning the statements from Alipio Ribeiro about the Maddie case?

CA - To us, the statements that were made by the PJ's national director were a mistake. He should not have spoken about a process that is under investigation, even for reasons of self defense. But since he spoke about precipitation, it would have been convenient to explain what he understands as precipitation. The controversy would not have existed the way it did.

Was the PJ affected?

CA - It is logical that the director's statements came at a cost. But there was one thing that comforted the ASFIC: I did not feel the PJ under attack. The Judiciaria was set aside, and criticism was directed essentially at the author of the statements.

The director was also criticised over wearing the skin of a magistrate.

CA - For most of the time, Dr Alipio Ribeiro referred to the police as "we policemen", and at that point, he said "as a magistrate, I think..." Sincerely, we don't like to see the national director of the police wearing the skin of a magistrate, no matter who he is. We don't ask him to renegate his past, but to be a policeman for the time that he spends in the police.

Do you think that Alipio Ribeiro is independent from the person who nominated him, the Justice Minister and friend Alberto Costa?

CA - All the PJ's directors enter with the tag of governmentalised, and leave with the tag of politically independent. Is there an official post in Portugal that is not nominated by the government? Even the PGR [Public Prosecutor] is chosen by the government and nominated by the President... I don't know if the director is a friend of the Justice Minister or not. While he is here, he is logically our director.

Do the serious economical problems of the PJ still stand?

CA - This director has brought in new management practises for the police, with which we do not agree. Earlier, the PJ had no money and no means, now it has money and still no means. 200 vehicles were bought, but they didn't join the existing ones, because approximately 300 vehicles were discarded. The PJ was left with less means, and we are a mobile police force. We face dramatic situations in operational terms.

Is the PJ paralised?

CA - The PJ is paralised. We carry out the minimum services. We have a problem with overtime, the members of the police are leaving. When we publish the results of 2007, we will see the operational cost of trying to spare half a dozen euros. The PJ has lost in operational terms, in productivity, and has become more bureaucratic.

(...)

You have been applauded by your public interventions in delicate cases. Would you like to become the PJ's spokesman?

CA - I do not consider that issue as long as I am the president of ASFIC. ASFIC represents the employees of the Policia Judiciaria, and the PJ must solve that problem in another manner. But a communication department is indispensable and urgent.

Do you defend that the PJ's direction should be occupied by policemen?

CA - We defend the creation of the post of operational director, with a clear vision of criminal investigation, and that post should be occupied by a policeman.

How does it feel to investigate under the new penal laws?

CA _ Difficulties have increased. There has been no reinforcement of means, and the new code is much more demanding. The new laws have brought new things and good things, but the new things are not good, and the good things are not new.

A Dutch tourist thinks she saw Madeleine McCann in France.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...tml?in_article_id=516836&in_page_id=1770&ct=5

CNN is now reporting that it was not her:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/20/france.mccann/index.html

But The Associated Press, quoting an unnamed police official, is reporting that investigators have determined it was not the missing child.

Police watched the closed-circuit video footage, and despite the child looking like Madeleine, it was not her, said the official, who did not want his name published because he is not authorized to speak to media about the case.

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