A French Chief Police Officer Gives Goncalo Amaral His Support

SOS Madeleine McCann 8/05/09

In Paris for the launch of the French version of his book, "Maddie: A Verdade da Mentira," former PJ coordinator Gonçalo Amaral, yesterday received the unexpected support of Georges Moréas, Commissioner of the French Judiciary Police.

After having read Amaral's book, which in France is titled, "Maddie: l'enquête interdite," commissioner Moréas, founder of the Central Office for Fighting Serious Crime (OCRB) stressed the difficulty for the PJ's work facing the pressure in the investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

Gonçalo Amaral, who returns to Lisbon today, has defended the reopening of the case, insisting that the investigation into Maddie's disappearance must carry on even if, "now it is necessary to look for a body."

In a statement to the Daily newspaper, "Le Parisien," Amaral has accused the parents of, "having no desire," to see the case reopened: "they have no desire for the truth to come out. However, I am convinced that there are still leads to explore. Unfortunately, it's a body we have to look for."

Duarte Levy