Isabelle, Fabienne, Jeanne-Marie, Elisabeth, Natacha, Céline, Mananya, Farida

As I was reading through the list of who had visited my blog today, where they were located and what search words they had used, I noticed that someone had been searching the name Céline Saison. When I read that I realised that these young girls and women, whose lives were taken violently by Michel Fourniret, were just lost in the articles I had posted, almost like incidentals in this courtroom drama that is Michel Fourniret.

So, here are their names and how old they were when they crossed the path of that monster Fourniret and were tragically lost to their families.

Elisabeth Brichet: 12 years old

Natacha Danais: 13 years old

Jeanne-Marie Desramault: 22 years old

Farida Hellegouarch

Isabelle Laville: 17 years old

Fabienne Leroy: 20 years old

Céline Saison: 18 years old

Mananya Thumpong: 12 years old

May this trial and its conclusion bring some peace to the families of these young women.

Enfants Kidnappés: Fourniret appears on the first day of the trial

http://www.kidnapping.be/fourniret/index.html

"26 mars 2008

"Fourniret présent au 1er jour du procès."

"Il sera là au début du procès" qui doit durer deux mois, a déclaré à l'AFP Me Pierre Blocquaux, un des trois avocats français commis d'office pour assurer la défense de Michel Fourniret, qui s'est entretenu mardi avec son client. "De toute façon, le président de la cour d'assises tient de l'article 320 du code de procédure pénale le pouvoir de le contraindre à comparaître", a ajouté l'avocat qui a dit "ne pas savoir" si son client serait présent à l'ensemble des audiences."

Fourniret appears on the first day of the trial.

"He will be there at the start of the trial," which should last two months, stated to AFP by Me Pierre Blocquaux, one of the three lawyers assigned to the defence of Michel Fourniret, who met with his client on Tuesday. "In any case, the president of the Court of Assizes holds in article 320 of the code of criminal procedure, the power to compel him to attend," added the lawyer who said, "don't know," if his client would be present at every sitting.

"Interview de l'un des trois avocats français commis d'office."

Qu'attend Michel Fourniret de son procès ?

Il n'attend rien. Je ne dis pas qu'il va attendre que ça se passe, mais en ce qui concerne la peine encourue, il ne pense pas qu'il y aura de surprise. En tout cas la dernière fois que je l'ai vu, il y a dix jours, il était dans cet état d'esprit.

Va-t-il s'exprimer ?

Oui, car même s'il dit qu'il ne veut pas venir, c'est quand même une tribune pour lui. Il va faire une déclaration liminaire, dans laquelle il va probablement récapituler tout ce qui ne lui a pas plu dans la procédure, tout ce qui, selon lui, n'est pas vrai dans l'ordonnance de renvoi. Pour le reste, il va probablement s'adresser aux familles des victimes pour leur dire qu'il aurait souhaité les rencontrer et rappeler qu'il aurait souhaité que ce procès se fasse à huis clos."


Interview with one of the three assigned French lawyers.

What does Michel Fourniret expect of his trial?

He expects nothing. I am not saying that he is going to be waiting to see what happens, but regarding the sentence, he does not think there will be any surprise there. In any case, the last time I saw him, he was in that state of mind.

Will he speak on his own behalf?


Yes, because even though he says he does not want to come, it is still a platform for him. He is going to make an opening statement in which he will probably recap everything which has not pleased him about the procedure, all that which, according to him, is not true in the order for transfer. For the rest he is probably going to address the families of the victims to tell them that he would have wished to meet them and remind them that he would have wished the trial to take place in camera.


"A quelle attitude peut-on s'attendre de sa part vis-à-vis de sa femme, Monique Olivier ?

Son sort, semble-t-il, le soucie. Il va continuer à affirmer que c'est lui le coupable, et qu'elle n'a fait qu'éventuellement l'assister. Il n'a, en tout cas, aucune intention de se décharger sur elle. (Le Figaro/AFP)"

What attitude can be expected from him towards his wife, Monique Olivier?

His fate, it seems, care. He will carry on saying that it is he who is guilty, and that she only actually helped him. There is not, in any case, any intention to offload himself onto her.


"Arrivée des proches des victimes de Fourniret.

C'est un procès qu'ils attendent depuis longtemps. Mais ce sera également un moment difficile à vivre. Les proches des victimes de Fourniret sont arrivés ce mercredi après-midi à Charleville-Mézières, en France. Meurtris au plus profond de leurs âmes, tous réclament que justice soit faite. A 84 ans, le papa de Jeanne-Marie Desramault est catégorique: "Il mérite la peine de mort. Un point c'est tout."

Arrival of the relatives of Fourniret's victims.

This is a trial that they have been waiting for for a long time. But it will also be a difficult time to live through. The relatives of Fourniret's victims arrived this Wednesday afternoon at Charleville-Mézières, in France. Wounded to the depths of their souls, all demanding that justice is done. At 84 years, the father of Jeanne-Marie Desramault is catergoric: "He deserves the death penalty. Period."

"Accueillis par les autorités judiciaires, les familles des victimes ont eu l'occasion de se familiariser avec la cour d'assises où seront jugés, dès ce jeudi et pendant neuf semaines, le tueur en série présumé et son épouse Monique Olivier. La justice française tient en effet à ce que les victimes de l''ogre des Ardennes' ne se sentent pas seules pendant le procès. "

Welcomed by the judicial authorities, the families of the victims had the opporunity to familiarise themselve with the Court of Assizes, where the alleged serial killer and his wife Monique Olivier will be tried from Thursday, lasting nine weeks. The French police make sure that the victims of the Ogre of the Ardennes do not feel alone during the trial.

"Les victimes belges

Parmi les victimes belges, Francis Brichet, père d'Elisabeth Brichet enlevée et tuée en décembre 1989,Joëlle Parfondry, agressée le 19 janvier 1995 dans son salon de toilettage pour chien à Jambes, ainsi que le père de "Marie", dont l'enlèvement manqué à Ciney a permis l'arrestation de Fourniret le 26 juin 2003, étaient présents ce mercredi."

The Belgian victims.

Amongst the Belgian victims, Francis Briceht, father of Elisabeth Brichet, abducted and kille in December 1989, Joelle Parfondry, assaulted in January 1995 in his dog-grooming parlour, also the father of, "Marie," whose abduction gone wrong in Ciney led to Fourniret's arrest on 26th June 2003, was present this Wednesday.


"Portrait des victimes belges

La mère d'Elisabeth Brichet, Marie-Noëlle Bouzet, ne gagnera Charleville-Mézières que jeudi. Sandra Noirot, victime d'une tentative d'enlèvement à la gare de Gedinne le 12 février 2000, n'était pas présente ce mercredi."

Portrait of the Belgian victims

Marie-Noelle Bouzet, Elisabeth Brichet's mother, did not reach Charleville-Mézières until Thursday. Sandra Noirot, victim of an attempted rape at Gedinne station on 12th February 2000, was not present this Wednesday.

"Rappel du dossier "Elisabeth Brichet"

"J'attends la fin du procès. Je sais déjà à la lecture du dossier comment cela s'est passé pour ma fille", a déclaré ce mercredi Francis Brichet, un peu désorienté, à son arrivée au Palais de justice. Il a répété qu'il attendait une condamnation à la perpétuité de Michel Fourniret, avec une peine de sûreté de 30 ans. Il a confirmé qu'il lira un texte pendant le procès."

Reminder of the case of, "Elisabeth Brichet."

"I am waiting for the end of the trial. I already know from reading the file what happened to my daughter," stated Francis Brichet this Wednesday, a little disorientated on his arrival at the courthouse. He repeated that he is expecting a whole life sentence for Michel Fourniret, with a minimum term of 30 years. he confirmed that he would read a prepared speech during the trial.

"La confrontation avec Fourniret, une inquiétude pour les victimes."

"Les familles sont inquiètes en vue de la confrontation avec Michel Fourniret mais tout est fait pour les rassurer et dédramatiser", a indiqué Me Gérard Chemla, qui défend les familles de deux victimes françaises ainsi que Joëlle Parfondry, violemment agressée par Michel Fourniret alors qu'elle avait 20 ans.

"Ce face-à-face avec Michel Fourniret est à la fois attendu et craint par les familles", a-t-il précisé.

The confrontation with Fourniret, an anxiety for the victims.

"The families are anxious about the confrontation with Michel Fourniret but everything is being done to reassure them and to play it down," pointed out Me Gérard Chemla, who is defending the families of two French victims and also Joelle Parfondry, who was violently assaulted when she was 20 years old.

"This face-to-face with Michel Fourniret is a time waited for and feared by the families," he made clear.

""Elle est très traumatisée par cette affaire qui a gâché sa vie"

"Pour Joëlle Parfondry, c'est une grande épreuve d'être confrontée à Michel Fourniret. Elle sera sans doute là jeudi pour être en face de lui. Il est important qu'elle soit confrontée à Michel Fourniret. C'est une survivante", a-t-il dit. "Elle est très traumatisée par cette affaire qui a gâché sa vie", a-t-il conclu.

"Les victimes ne seront pas seules. Nous les assisterons pendant le procès. Nous tenons à les protéger. Elles auront un local protégé où elles pourront se recueillir, converser avec leurs avocats, voir des psychologues", explique Christophe Aubertin, substitut au parquet général de Reims."

"She was very traumatised by this affair which has ruined her life."

"For Joelle Parfondry, it is a great trail to confront Michel Fourniret. It will undoubtedly be Thursday for her to be faced with him. It is important that she confronts Michel Fourniret. She is a survivor," he said. "She was very traumatised by that business which has ruined her life," he concluded.

"The victims will not be alone. We will help them during the trial. We will keep them protected. They will have a protected area, where they can gather, speak with their lawyers, see psychologists," explained Chistophe Aubertin, acting prosecutor general for Reims.

"L'objectif de la réunion d'information était surtout l'occasion d'expliquer la logistique du procès, a souligné Me Isabelle de Moffarts, avocate de "Marie", qui avait réussi à échapper aux griffes de Fourniret en profitant d'un arrêt à un stop pour fuir de la camionnette de son ravisseur.

"Il y a eu un effort réel pour accueillir les parties civiles. Nous avons apprécié qu'une aile du palais de justice leur soit réservée pendant le procès", a dit Me de Moffarts à l'issue de cette après-midi pour les victimes. (RTL Info)"

The purpose of the briefing was mainly an opportunity to explain the logistics of the trial, " stressed Me Isabelle de Moffarts, lawyer for, "Marie, who had managed to escape the clutches of Fourniret by taking advantage of a stop at a stop sign to run away from her abductor's lorry.

"There has been a real effort to welcome the plaintiffs. We have appreciated that a wing of the courtroom would be reserved for them during the trial," said Me de Moffarts on the issue of this afternoon for the victims. (RTL Info)

"Fourniret : son parcours"


"Michel Fourniret est né le 4 avril 1942 dans un milieu ouvrier à Sedan. Ancien ouvrier devenu dessinateur industriel entre 1976 et 1984, il a effectué un service militaire en Algérie. Il est père de cinq enfants issus de trois mariages. Le dernier, Sélim est né en 1988 de son union avec Monique Olivier, aujourd'hui assise à ses côtés sur le banc des accusés à Charleville-Mézières.

Les premiers démêlés de Michel Fourniret avec la justice remontent à 1966, date à laquelle il est incarcéré pour la première fois pour abus sexuels sur mineurs. Une condamnation qui mettra fin à son premier mariage. Il est à nouveau arrêté en 1984 pour agression sexuelles commises sur quinze jeunes filles. Il écope alors de sept ans de prison dont deux avec sursis. C'est lors de cette incarcération que Michel Fourniret rencontre Monique Olivier par une petite annonce. Une longue correspondance commence dans laquelle Michel Fourniret livre ses fantasmes et explique son obsession de la virginité.

Tous les deux finissent par conclure un "pacte" : lui s'engage à éliminer l'ancien compagnon de Monique Olivier qui dit avoir été battue, en échange elle lui promet de l'aide pour sa "chasse" aux vierges. A sa sortie de prison en 1987, Michel Fourniret et Monique Olivier se marient. S'ensuit le parcours criminel présumé pour lequel ils comparaissent devant les assises des Ardennes (M6)"

Fourniret: his career.

Michel Fourniret was born on the 4th of April, 1942, in a working-class environment in Sedan. A former workman, he became an industrial designer between 1976 and 1984. He did his military service in Algeria. He is the father of five children from three marriages. The last, Sélim, was born in 1988 from his union with Monique Olivier, today sitting at his side in the dock in Charleville-Mézières.

The first trouble Michel Fourniret had with the police dates back to 1966, when he is imprisoned for the first time for sexual assaults on young children. A conviction which will end his first marriage. He is again arrested in 1984 for sexual assaults on fifteen young girls. He is then given seven years in prison, of which two are suspended. It is during this incarceration that Michel Fourniret meets Monique Olivier through a classified ad. A lengthy correspondence begins in which Michel Fourniret reveals his fantasies and explains his obsession with virginity.

They eventually conclude a, "pact": he undertakes to get rid of the former partner of Monique Olivier, who says she was battered, in exchange she promises to help him in his, "hunt," for virgins. On his release from prison in 1987, Michel Fourniret and Monique Olivier are married. There follows the alleged criminal career, for which they are appearing before the Ardennes Assizes. (M6)

SOS Madeleine McCann: Mari Luz's father asks the police not to let themselves be fooled.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

26.03.2008

"Papa de Mari Luz demande à la Justice de ne pas se laisser "tromper"

"Le papa de Mari Luz a demandé aujourd’hui à la justice de ne pas se laisser "tromper" par le présumable homicide de sa fille, Santiago del Valle García.

Lors d’une conférence de presse, Juan Cortés a manifesté sa crainte de que le principal suspect du décès de Mari Luz puisse alléguer des problèmes psychiatriques pour tromper l'action de la Justice, soulignant qu’il ne croit pas dans la thèse d'accident."

Mari Luz's father asks the police not to let themselves be fooled.

Mari Luz's father today asked the police not to let themselves be, "fooled," by the alleged murderer of his daughter, Santiago del Valle Garcia. At a press conference, Juan Cortés expressed his belief that the prime suspect in the death of Mari Luz could put forward psychiatric problems in order to mislead the police, stressing that he did not believe in the accident theory.

"Il est responsable pour un assassinat. Il a tué ma fille et il doit payer pour son crime," à dit le papa de Mari Luz qui à confirmé que sa fille est effectivement décédé quelques heures après sa disparition.

"Je demande à la Justice d’agir avec fermeté pour que ceci n'arrive pas à nouveau et pour que dorénavant ces personnes soient mises à leur place", à dit Juan Cortés que promet de continuer à combattre pour que Justice soit faite, soulignant qu’il ne va pas "se reposer" car il va avoir besoin de toutes ses forces pour accompagner la procédure judiciaire."

"He is responsible for a murder. He killed my daughter and he must pay for his crime," said Mari Luz's father, who confirmed that his daughter actually died a few hours after her disappearance.

"I ask the police to act decisively so that this does not happen again and that from now on these people will be put in their place," said Juan Cortés who promises to continue to fight so that justice is done, stressing that he is not going, "to rest," because he is going to need all his strength to follow the judicial process.

"Suspect arrêté revient sur ses déclarations

Santiago Garcia, de 52 ans, l'homme qui a admis être l'auteur du meurtre de Mari Luz à Huelva affirme maintenant que l’enfant serait mort accidentellement.

Le présumable assassin a été arrêté hier après-midi à Cuenca ou il venait d’arriver en compagnie de son épouse, avec qui il habite dans la localité de Pajaroncillo, un village d’une centaine d’habitants ou il avait trouvé refuge après avoir abandonné Huelva le lendemain de la disparition de Mari Luz."

The arrested suspect goes back on his statements.

Santiago Garcia, aged 52, the man who admitted to being the perpetrator of the murder of Mari Luz in Huelva claims now that the child died accidentally.

The alleged killer was arrested yesterday afternoon in Cuenca where he had just arrived with his wife, with whom he lives in the Pajaroncillo area, a village of a hundred inhabitants where he sought refuge after having left Huelva the day after Mari Luz's disappearance.

"Depuis les premières heures de la disparition que Santiago était pointé comme le principal suspect car Mari Luz avait été aperçue en vie pour la dernière fois passant devant sa maison dans le quartier d’El Torrejón, Huelva."

Santiago has been down as the prime suspect since the first hours after the disappearance because Mari Luz was seen alive for the last time, passing his house in the El Torrejon district of Huelva.

"Une source de l'Unité de Délinquance Spécialisée et Violente (UDEV), responsable pour l’arrestation, à confirmée que le suspect à prétendu aujourd’hui que Mari Luz "est tombé" pendant la lutte et serait décédé accidentellement.

Du à ses antécédentes d’abus sur mineurs, y inclus sa propre fille, l’homme avait déjà été interrogé et sa maison fouillé mais la police n’avait pas retrouvé le moindre indice du passage de Mari Luz."

A source from the Unit for Specialised and violent Crime (UDEV) rsponsible for the arrest, confirmed that the suspect claimed today that Mari Luz, "fell," during the struggle and died accidentally.

Due to his record of abuse of small children, including his own daughter, had already been interrogated and his house searched but the police had not found the slightest evidence of Mari Luz's having been there.

Trial of Michel Fourniret begins Thursday 27th March.

http://www.kidnapping.be/fourniret/index.html

"Procès Fourniret du 27 mars 2008"

25 mars 2008"

"Avertissement."

"Nous avons longuement hésité avant de faire un dossier consacré à cet individu. Nous ne voulions pas lui faire de la publicité et il ne mérite sûrement pas de faire les titres de l'actualité. Nous avons d'autant plus hésité que, si l'on se rapporte à un autre monstre du genre, Marc Dutroux, la publicité faite lui a apporté une certaine notoriété au point que (NDLR: Authentique) des femmes, mère de famille, lui envoient des lettres de soutien dans lesquelles elles précisent être "amoureuses" de lui et en admirations devant ses actes! SCANDALEUX!!!"

Fourniret's trial from 28th March 2008

Warning

We have hesitated for a long time before creating a file dedicated to this individual. We did not want to give him the publicity and he surely does not deserve to make the news headlines. We have further hesitated because if someone associates himself to another monster, of Marc Dutroux's kind, the publicity would afford him a certain notoriety to the point that (NDLR: Genuine) women, mothers with families, send him letters of support in which they proclaim that they are, "in love," with him and admire his actions. SCANDELOUS!!!

"Nous ne voulions pas de ça pour Fourniret. Malheureusement, l'infamie s'étant installé, le procès fera la manchette de nombreux médias et nous avons, finalement, pensé que consacrer un dossier complet permettrait de mieux cerner comment fonctionne ce genre de monstre et comment mieux s'en protéger. Ainsi tout au long de ce procès, nous publierons des articles sur les évènements important du dossier. Nous nous appuierons sur des articles de la presse française et belge, en plus de notre expérience, afin de vous donner un aperçu le plus large possible."

We did not want this for Fourniret. Unfortunately, infamy is being achieved, the trial will make many media headlines, and we have, finally, thought that to dedicate a complete file would allow better understanding of how this kind of monster operates and how best to protect oneself. Thus, throughout this trial, we will publish articles on important events in the case. We will rely on articles from the French and Belgian press, in addition to our own experience, in order to give you the broadest possible overview.

"Michel Fourniret et son épouse jeudi sur le banc des accusés."

"Le procès d'un des pires tueurs en série présumé de ces dernières décennies s'ouvre jeudi devant les assises des Ardennes. Michel Fourniret devra répondre pendant deux mois de sept meurtres de jeunes femmes ou adolescentes, de viols et de tentatives de viols, commis entre 1987 et 2003 en France et en Belgique. Monique Olivier, la femme de Michel Fourniret, est également accusée."

Michel Fourniret and his wife in the dock on Thursday.

The trial of one of the worst alleged serial killers of recent decades opens Thursday in the Ardennes Assizes. For two months Michel Fourniret will have to answer to seven murders of young women or adolescents, to rapes and attempted rapes, committed between 1987 and 2003 in France and Belgium. Michel Fourniret's wife, Monique Olivier, is also charged.

"Sur le banc des accusés de la cour d'assises des Ardennes à Charleville-Mézières à partir de jeudi, Michel Fourniret, le tueur en série présumé, ne sera pas seul. Sa femme, Monique Olivier, se trouvera à ses côtés. Entre les deux, les enquêteurs ont mis en évidence "une sorte de pacte" criminel créé en 1987 alors que Michel Fourniret était déjà détenu pour des agressions sexuelles. A l'occasion de ce procès, Michel Fourniret devra répondre de sept meurtres commis en France et en Belgique."

In the dock of the Ardennes Court of Assizes in Charleville-Mézières from Thursday, Michel Fourniret, the alleged serial killer, will not be alone. His wife, Monique Olivier, will be at his side. Between the two of them, the investigators have revealed, "a kind of criminal pact," created in 1987 when Michel Fourniret was already in prison for sexual assaults. On the occasion of this trial, Michel Fourniret must answer to seven murders committed in France and Belgium.

"Parmi les victimes : Isabelle Laville, 17 ans. Elle disparaît le 11 décembre 1987 à Auxerre. Son corps ne sera retrouvé que 19 ans plus tard au fond d'un puits. En août 1988, quelques mois après la disparition d'Isabelle Laville, Fabienne Leroy, 20 ans est retrouvée morte sur un terrain de manoeuvres militaires. Elle aussi a croisé la route du tueur en série. "

Among the victims: Isabelle Laville, aged 17. She disappeared on the 11th of December in Auxerre. Her body would not be found until 19 years later at the bottom of a well. In August 1988, a few months after Isabelle Laville's disappearance, Fabienne Leroy, aged 20, was found dead on land for military manoeuvres. She too had crossed the path of the serial killer.

"D'autres jeunes femmes connaîtront le même sort funeste : Jeanne-Marie Desramault, 22 ans, la petite Elisabeth Brichet, 12 ans, Natacha Danais une fillette de 13 ans dont le corps poignardé est découvert sur une plage de Vendée. A ce moment, la mortelle randonnée semble s'arrêter durant une dizaine d'années puisque c'est en 2000 que Michel Fourniret récidive en ôtant la vie à Céline Saison 18 ans puis en 2001 en tuant également Mananya Thumpong, une enfant de 12 ans. Des crimes accompagnés à chaque fois de viols ou de tentatives de viol."

Other young women would suffer the same disastrous fate: Jeanne-Marie Desramault, aged 22, little Elisabeth Brichet, aged 12, Natacha Danais, a little girl aged 13 whose stabbed body was discovered on a beach in Vendée. At that time, the random killing seemed to have stopped for twelve years until in 2000 Michel Fourniret re-offended by taking the life of Celine Saison, aged 18, then in 2001 in killing Mananya Thumpong, a twelve year-old child. These crimes were accompanied each time by rape or by attempted rape.

"Prévu pour durer deux mois, ce procès devrait être l'occasion de déterminer le rôle de chacun des deux époux. Selon les termes du "pacte" criminel, Monique Olivier aurait accepté d'aider Michel Fourniret, son futur mari rencontré par le biais d'une petite annonce, à "chasser" des jeunes filles vierges si lui s'engageait en retour à tuer son premier mari. Décrite par les policiers belges comme le "maillon faible", Monique Olivier est accusée d'un meurtre et de complicité dans au moins quatre autres crimes."

Scheduled to last for two months, this trial should provide an opportunity to determine the role of each of the two spouses. According to the terms of the criminal, "pact," Monique Olivier had agreed to help Michel Fourniret , her future husband, whom she met through a classified ad, to "hunt for," young virgin girls if he undertook in return to kill her first husband. Described by the Belgian police as the, "weakest link," Monique Olivier is accused of one murder and of complicity in at least four other crimes.

"A chaque fois, le même modus operandi:

Michel Fourniret repère une jeune fille qu'il aborde en voiture, lui demande de monter dans le véhicule pour l'aider à retrouver son chemin et la conduit vers un lieu isolé. A plusieurs reprises, la présence de Monique Olivier dans la voiture aurait permis de mettre en confiance les futures victimes. Une fois, elle serait allée jusqu'à l'aider en étouffant une jeune fille.

Si ce procès a lieu, c'est en partie grâce à une petite Belge de 13 ans qui a réussi à échapper à Michel Fourniret qui l'avait enlevée en juin 2003 près de Namur. A cette adolescente, le tueur en série présumé, âgé de 66 ans, aurait dit : "je suis pire que Dutroux". Agée aujourd'hui de 17 ans, elle sera présente pour ce procès mais témoignera à huis clos. Michel Fourniret comme Monique Olivier encourent la réclusion criminelle à perpétuité."

Each time the same modus operandi.

Michel Fourniret picks out a young girl whom he approaches in his car, asks her to get into the vehicle to help him find his way and takes her to an isolated place. On several occasions, the presence of Monique Olivier in the car would have allowed the future victims to be trusting. Once, she went as far as helping to smother a young girl.

If this trial is held, it is in part thanks to a little thirteen year-old Belgian girl who managed to escape from Michel Fournirte who had abducted her in June 2003, near Namur. To this teenager, the alleged serial killer, aged 66, would have said, "I am worse than Dutroux." Now 17 years old, she will be present for the trial but will testify in camera. Michel Fourniret and Monique Olivier are risking whole life sentences.

"La petite Marie s'échappe de son bourreau et met fin à ses activités criminelles.

S'il n'y avait eu la petite Marie Ascension, Michel Fourniret aurait très certainement avec l'aide de son épouse, Monique Olivier, fait d'autres victimes, lui qui sans cesse, poursuivait chaque année, sa chasse aux jeunes filles vierges.

Le 26 juin 2003, Marie Ascension qui à l'époque, est âgée de 13 ans, est enlevée à Ciney. Dans la camionnette qui l'embarque, elle est violentée et ligotée par un homme qui lui dit "je suis pire que Dutroux".

Little Marie escapes from her executioner and brings his criminal activities to an end.

If it wasn't for Little Marie Ascension, Michel Fourniret would have almost certainly, with the help of his wife, Momique Olivier, taken other victims, he who pursued each year without cease, his hunt for young female virgins.

On June 26th 2003, Marie Ascension, who at the time is 13 years old, is abducted in Ciney. Loaded into a lorry, she is tied up and raped by a man who tells her, "I am worse than Dutroux."

"Pourtant la fillette parviendra à se défaire de ses liens et s'échapper de la camionnette à la faveur d'un marais. Marie Ascension est alors prise en charge par une automobiliste et sur la route, reconnaît la camionnette. Grâce à la plaque d'immatriculation, Fourniret sera arrêté le jour même.

A ce moment-là, en Belgique, on ignore tout de Fourniret. Son passé judiciaire dont le casier n'a pas été communiqué aux autorités belges et surtout l'ensemble des crimes pour lesquels, il va aujourd'hui être jugé. C'est au lendemain du prononcé de l'arrêt de l'affaire Dutroux, que Monique Olivier, son épouse, interrogée par la police belge, révèle l'horreur et accuse son mari de meurtres de 7 jeunes femmes ou adolescentes. Détenu alors à Dinant, Michel Fourniret avoue. "

Yet the little girl manages to free herself from her ties and to escape from the lorry into a swamp. Marie Ascension is then taken care of by a motorist and on the way, recognises the lorry. Thanks to the registration plate, Fourniret will be arrested the next day.

At that moment in Belgium, little is known about Fourniret. His past criminal record is not communicated to the Belgian authorities and especially the crimes for which he will now be tried. It is the day after the pronouncement of the judgment in the Dutroux case, that Monique Olivier, his wife, interrogated by the Belgian police, reveals the horror and accuses her husband of the murders of 7 young women or teenagers. Arrested then in Dinant, Michel Fourniret confesses.

"Le dossier judiciaire de Fourniret:

Fourniret's police file:

• 1967: Fourniret, 25 ans, est condamné à 8 mois d'emprisonnement avec sursis pour l'agression d'une fillette dans les Ardennes.

1967: Fourniret, 25 years old, is sentenced to 8 months imprisonment, suspended, for assaulting a young girl in the Ardennes.

• mars 1984: Fourniret est arrêté après 11 agressions de jeunes femmes depuis septembre 1982.

March 1984: Fourniret is arrested after 11 assaults on young women since September 1982.

• 26 juin 1987: la cour d'assises de l'Essonne le condamne à 7 ans d'emprisonnement, dont 2 avec sursis. Il sera libéré quelques mois plus tard.

26 June 1987: The Court of Assizes at Essonne sentences him to 7 years imprisonment, of whch 2 are suspended. He will be freed a few months later.

• 26 juin 2003: à 61 ans, il est arrêté en Belgique après l'enlèvement à Ciney de Marie-Ascension, 13 ans, qui parviendra à lui échapper.

26th June 2003: aged 61, he is arrested in Belgium after the abduction at Ciney of Marie Ascension, aged 13, who managed to escape from him.

• 30 juin 2004: Fourniret avoue les meurtres de six jeunes filles en France et en Belgique entre 1987 et 2001, d'un automobiliste abattu sur une aire d'autoroute en Bourgogne et de la compagne d'un ancien codétenu, Farida Hellegouarch.

30th June 2004: Fourniret confesses to the murders of six young girls in France and Belgim between 1987 and 2001, to the shooting of a motorist on a stretch of motorway in Bourgogne and to the killing of the partner of a former cell-mate, Farida Hellegouarch.

La justice belge lui impute aussi la mort d'une jeune fille en 1993 alors que Monique Olivier, sa troisième épouse, l'accuse de neuf assassinats. Elle est écrouée pour complicité.

The Belgian police also impute to him the death of a young girl in 1993, while Monique Olivier, his third wife, accuses him of nine murders. She is held for complicity.

• 16 juil 2004: il avoue la tentative de viol d'une adulte en 1995, près de Namur (Belgique).

16th July 2004: he confesses to the attempted rape of an adult in 1995, near Namur (Belgium)

• 1er mars 2005: sa femme l'accuse de trois nouveaux meurtres en Belgique, trois baby-sitters qu'elle dit avoir recrutées entre juillet 1992 et janvier 1997 en sachant qu'il les tuerait. Les accusations de l'épouse portent donc sur douze meurtres.

1st March 2005: his wife accuses him of three more murders in Belgium, three baby-sitters whom she says she recruited between July 1992 and January 1997 knowing that he would kill them. The accusations of his wife, then amount to twelve murders.

• 9 jan 2006: Fourniret est extradé vers la France, un mois après sa femme.

9th January 2006: Fourniret is extradited to France, a month after his wife.

• 29 mai 2006: il est renvoyé devant la cour d'assise des Ardennes et doit répondre, à partir du 27 mars 2008, de la mort de 7 jeunes femmes. Monique Olivier est poursuivie pour complicité de plusieurs de ces faits.

29th May 2006: he appears before the Ardennes Court of Assizes and must answer, starting 27th March 2008 to the deaths of 7 young women. Monique Olivier is prosecuted for complicity in several of these acts.

• 5 juin 2006: la justice décide de l'interroger sur la disparition de Marie-Angèle Domèce, 19 ans, en 1988 dans l'Yonne.

5th June 2006: the police decide to interrogate him about the disappearance of Marie-Angèle Domèce, aged 19, in l'Yonne.

• 11 mars 2008: il est mis en examen pour les enlèvements et assassinats de Marie-Angèle Domèce et de Joanna Parrish, une Britannique de 20 ans, trouvée violée et étranglée, en mai 1990 près d'Auxerre.

11 March 2008: he is under investigation for the abduction and murder of Marie-Angèle Domèce and Joanna Parrish, a British woman aged 20, found raped and strangled, in May 1990 near Auxerre.

Enfants Kidnappés: Mari Luz - three suspects arrested.

http://www.kidnapping.be/mariluzcortes/index.html

"3 suspects arrêtés !!!26 mars 2008

Un couple de suspects arrêtés.

Un couple de voisin de la famille de la petite Mari Luz Cortès a été arrêté, hier. Une troisième arrestation a eu lieu un peu plus tard, celle de la soeur du principal suspect. Le principal suspect, Santiago G., a admis que Mari Luz est morte alors qu'il "l'accompagnait de sa propre volonté". Selon son audition, la fillette était en sa compagnie quand "elle est accidentellement tombée" et est décédée. Les autorités sont absolument sûres d'avoir arrêté l'auteur de l'enlèvement de Mari Luz dont les raisons seraient, selon toutes vraisemblances, à caractère sexuelles. Ces soupçons sont confirmés par le passé du suspect. Il est déjà connu de la justice pour des faits de moeurs sur mineurs et il tombe sous le coup d'une injonction judiciaire lui interdisant de s'approcher de ses propres filles. Toutefois, les analyses scientifiques démontrent que l'homme n'a pas eu le temps de mettre ses projets à exécution, les analyses n'ayant révélé aucune trace d'abus sexuel. Il est à supposer que l'enfant se sera débattue afin de se dégager de son ou ses ravisseurs, ne suivant pas ces derniers volontairement comme le déclare le suspect."


3 suspects arrested!!! 26th March 2008

A couple of suspects arrested.

A couple, neighbours of the family of Mari Luz Cortès, were arrested yesterday. A third arrest took place a little while later, that of the sister of the prime suspect. The prime suspect, Santiago G. admitted that Mari Luz died while, "going with him of her own free will." According to his interview, the little girl was with him, "she accidentally fell," and died. The authorities are absolutely sure that they have arrested Mari Luz's abductor, whose motives would have been, by all appearances, of a sexual nature. Their suspicions were confirmed by the suspect's history. He is already known to the police for acts of indecency with children and he is the subject of a court order, forbidding him from approaching his own daughters. However, scientific analysis shows that the man did not have time to put his plans into action, the analyses have revealed no evidence of sexual abuse. It is assumed that the child would have struggled to free herself from her captors, not going along voluntarily as the suspect has claimed.

"Dans sa tentative de fuite et dans l'affolement, bien compréhensible, la petite sera tombée dans un récupérateur d'eau proche. C'est du moins la thèse la plus logique et celle soutenue pour le moment. Elle est d'autant retenue que le suspect n'a pas porté assistance à la fillette. Il n'a pas, non plus, signalé aux autorités l'endroit où la fillette est tombée. Si c'est intentions n'étaient pas mauvaises, il aurait immédiatement été chercher les secours et la petite aurait, peut-être pu être sauvée. Même si elle est tombée par accident (un peu forcé quand même), le suspect est coupable de non assistance à personne en danger au minimum... Mais nous laissons le soin à la justice espagnole de former elle même ses propres chefs d'accusation."

In her attempt to escape and in her panic, understandably, the little girl may have fallen into a nearby water channel. That at least is the most logical theory and the one which is held at the moment. Needless to say, the suspect did not offer assistance to the little girl. He did not even let the authorities know where the little girl had fallen. If his intentions were not bad, he would immediately have sought help and the little girl could, perhaps, have been saved. Even if she fell accidentally (a little forced even then) the suspect is at least guilty of non-assistance to a person in danger....But we shall leave to the Spanish police the problem of coming to their own conclusions.

"L'homme avait été interrogé dès le début des recherches le 13 janvier. Depuis le début il est le suspect principal dans l'enquête et les autorités ont confirmé qu'il s'agissait là d'une hypothèse solide. La femme du suspect est considérée comme complice pour avoir gardé le silence. Se serait, selon la presse espagnole, suite à des cheveux trouvés lors de la deuxième autopsie, effectuée à la demande de la famille, que le couple fut confondu. Le suspect, qui avait été arrêté quelques jours après la disparition de la petite, avait fourni un alibi lors de son premier interrogatoire au moment de sa première garde à vue. Cet alibi s'est, entre temps, effondré. Son alibi se basait sur le témoignage de sa compagne. Après sa première garde à vue, le suspect avait demandé à la police l'autorisation de quitter Huelva afin d'éviter toutes représailles. Les parents et les voisins ont toujours signalés cet homme comme suspect. Aujourd'hui, Juan José Cortès, le papa de Mari Luz a affirmé, avant toute confirmation officielle, que "nous savions qui était cet individu, ce n'est pas une surprise pour moi"

The man had been questioned when the searches began, on January 13th. Since the beginning he has been prime suspect in the enquiry and the authorities have confirmed that they have a solid case. The wife of the suspect is considered to be an accomplice. for keeping quiet. It would be, acording to the Spanish press, a result of hair found in the course of the second autopsy, carried out at the request of the family, that the couple were found out. The suspect, who had been arrested a few days after the disappearance of the little girl, had provided an alibi during his first interrogation at the time of his first arrest. This alibi, has in the meatime, collapsed. His alibi was based on the witness statement of his partner. After his first arrest, the suspect requested police authorisation to leave Huelva in order to avoid all reprisals. The parnets and the neighbours have always indicated this person has a suspect. Today, Juan José Cortès, Mari Luz's father claimed, before any official confirmation, that, "we know who this individual is, it is not a surprise to me."

Mari Luz: married couple arrested. Known Paedophile confesses?

Earth Times 26/03/08

This was the first report I read about the arrest of a married couple in connection with the death of little Mari Luz. With thanks to Fraidycat at the 3Arguidos forum for the news.

http://the3arguidos.net

"Madrid - A couple has been arrested in connection with the death of 5-year-old girl Mari Luz Cortes, whose disappearance shocked southern Spain, police said Wednesday. The detainees lived in the same neighbourhood in the city of Huelva as Mari Luz's family.

The circumstances of the death of Mari Luz, whose body was found floating in a river on March 7 after two months of searches, have been unclear.

The case of Mari Luz has been compared with that of 4-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann, who went missing on May 3, 2007, in a southern Portuguese holiday resort not far from where Mari Luz disappeared. The fate of Madeleine, who made headlines all over the world, has not been clarified."

Typically Spanish 26/03/08

"Married couple detained in the Mari Luz Cortés case."

"Juan José Cortés, father of Mari Luz - Archive photo EFE
enlarge photo

Mari Luz's father, Juan José, has said the family had thought it was the man now arrested from the very start of the case

We have more details on what now appears to be the arrest of a married couple in connection with the disappearance and death of the 5 year old girl from Huelva in Spain, Marí Luz Cortés. Known as the Spanish Madeleine in the British press, she vanished when going to buy some crisps on the previous January 13 in the Torrejón district of Huelva. Her body finally appeared floating in the Ria de Huelva on March 7."

" Man confesses to involvement in the death of Mari Luz Cortés, but claims she fell and died accidentally."

Typically Spanish 26/03/08 12.28pm

" The man, a known paedophile named only as Santiago G., lived locally in the Torrejón area and had been a suspect of the family from the start A man, who was arrested in Spain yesterday is reported to have confessed to his involvement in the death of Mari Luz Cortés, the five year old girl who vanished in Huelva on January 13. The man, named by the victim’s father Juan José, as Santiago G., lived locally in the same Torrejón district of the city, but has recently moved to Cuenca with his wife to avoid reprisals."

Typically Spanish states that reporting restrictions have not been lifted, but later in the report, there is this:

"Europa Press reports that the arrested man has now confessed, to the police but not to a judge, to his involvement in the disappearance of the five year old, but says that she died accidentally. According to his statement to police, he said that she fell and died accidentally when she was with him ‘at her own choice’. The paper reports that this man had been arrested earlier in Granada just a few days after Mari Luz vanished, and was released on a lack of any evidence. Police say that they are sure that the man is responsible for the death of the child, and they believe that the motive was sexual. He is also reported to have a distancing order in place against his own children. The analysis from the police forensic department indicates however that the man could not manage to sexually force himself on the child."

Every day when I check to see who has been visiting this blog, I see that so many people have reached it through Google, searching for news of Mari Luz. It is heartening to see that so many people around the world have taken an interest in this little Spanish girl. It saddens me, though, to see Mari Luz referred to as, "The Spanish Madeleine." She is the Spanish Mari Luz, a little girl whose home, family and life experience is a long way in distance and background from the gates of "Orchard House," in Rothley Leicestershire, UK.

The Daily Mail is reporting the arrest of the married couple, with this headline:

"Spanish paedophile' arrested for murder of girl linked to Madeleine's disappearance."

Daily Mail 26/03/08

She doesn't even have a name for the Daily Mail, just a connection with the Madeleine case. Clarence Mitchell has made a statement:

"Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for the McCanns, said today: "We hope the Portuguese police will be liaising with the Spanish police to establish this man's movements around the time Madeleine disappeared.

"We have no indication there is a direct link between the two cases.

"But given the proximity of the places Madeleine and Mari Luz disappeared from and the similarity in their ages, we believe it's important the Portuguese police make absolutely sure there's no connection now there's been an arrest."

The proximity of these places? Isn't Huelva approx 120 miles from Praia da Luz? That's around the same distance as my home in Warwickshire to Liverpool. If a child disappeared in Liverpool and one disappeared in Warwick, would anyone refer to, "proximity."? It's also approx Perth to Carlisle. Is that proximity? Well, to me it isn't! Then I guess if eating dinner at a tapas bar, 100 yards or so from an unlocked apartment, where you have left your children, is like, "eating in your own back garden," Clarence et al have a very different notion of, "proximity," to most people!

Robert Murat's possessions returned and Lori Campbell's suspicions!

http://www.kidnapping.be/maddie/maddie.html

"La PJ rend à Robert Murat les objets personnels saisis lors de l'enquête.

La Police Judiciaire a retourné à Robert Murat divers objets personnels qu'ils avaient saisis lors de l'enquête. Ces objets avaient été saisis lors de la fouille de la maison du premier suspect dans cette affaire, à environ 100 mètres de l'appartement d'où Madeleine a disparu. Robert Murat pense qu'il va cesser d'être suspect dans le dossier. Depuis 10 mois qu'il est accusé dans le dossier Maddie, la PJ l'a privé de trois ordinateurs portables, divers CD et K7 vidéos, un appareil photo numérique et quelques vêtements."

The PJ returns to Robert Murat personal things seized during the investigation.

The Judicial Police has returned to Robert Murat various personal objects which they had seized during the enquiry. These objects were seized during the search of the house of the first suspect in this case, about 100 metres from the apartment from which Madeleine disappeared. Robert Murat thinks that he is going to stop being a suspect in the case. For ten months since he was accused in the Madeleine case, the PJ has deprived him of three laptop computers, various CDs and K7 videos, a digital camera and some clothing.

"Ces objets saisis depuis mai 2007 ont été retournés au britannique mercredi dernier déjà. Seuls quelques papiers contenant des numéros de téléphone et des notes personnels resteront dans le dossier comme "pièces saisies". Avec la remise de ces objets, Robert Murat pense qu'il sera très bientôt libéré des accusations portées contre lui. Il croit, également, que son innocence sera prouvée lui permettant de reprendre une vie professionnelle qui a été suspendue depuis qu'il fut placé sous statut "d'arguido". Robert Murat a vu le site de sa société bloqué et vit, depuis lors, avec l'aide financière de sa mère. Il pourrait également préparer une procédure contre l'État Portugais."

These objects, in the police possession since May 2007, have already been returned last Wednesday. Only a few papers containing telephone numbers and personal notes remain in the file as, "seized items". With the return of these objects, robert Murat thinks that he will very soon be freed of the accusations leveled against him. He also believes that his innocence will be proved, allowing him to return to a professional life which has been suspended since he was placed under the status, "of arguido." Robert Murat has seen the company's site blocked and is living since then, with the financial help of his mother. He could also instigate legal action against the Portuguese State.

"Enfin, en ce qui concerne l'enquête, elle même, il y a peu de nouveaux éléments. La PJ prépare maintenant le voyage d'une équipe d'inspecteurs rejoindre d'autres déjà en place au R-U. Ces derniers doivent mettre au point les derniers détails des interrogatoires demandés par lettres rogatoires et dont le début est prévu pour le 7 avril au plus tard !!!"

Finally, with regard to the investigation itself, there are very few new details there. The PJ is now preparing the journey of a team of inspectors to join the others already in place in the UK. They must now work on the last details of the interrogations requested by the rogatory letters, of which the first is planned for April 7th at the latest!!!

*******************************

And now to the subject of that award-winning journalist, Lori Campbell! She may or may not have been the direct cause of Robert Murat's having been made an arguido, but she did let Uncle Tom Cobley and all know what she thought. What was it that Lori thought, way back in the mists of the early days of the enquiry into Madeleine McCann's disappearance? Well, here is what Lori reported in the Sunday Mirror on day 18 of the mystery, "WHY I SHOPPED MADDY SUSPECT"

THE SEARCH FOR MADELEINE: DAY 18

By Lori Campbell Sunday Mirror Reporter Who Shopped Murat To Portuguese Police 20/05/2007

Lori Campbell (pic:Albanpix)

I HAVE no idea if Robert Murat is guilty of the kidnapping of Madeleine McCann.

But I would never have been able to live with the guilt had I not told police of my grave concerns about his behaviour.

Which is why I reported him to British police, the British embassy here in the Algarve and to Portuguese police.

At first, little came of it and I began to wonder if I had maybe been wrong to speak up. Then, on Monday, when Murat was arrested, my heart raced and I was gripped by a terrible sense of foreboding. Within minutes, I was thrown into the epicentre of her disappearance.

TV crews from around the world were desperate to hear what it was I told police - and what police said to me. Since then, I have replayed over and over again in my head what the prime suspect in this case said to me, desperate for any more clues that could help police.

It was on the third day of Madeleine's disappearance that I interviewed Murat - and what he said left me deeply troubled.

Having seen him with police, I assumed that he was part of the investigation and asked him for any news. He gestured at me to sit with him on the pavement outside the McCann apartment.

He told me: "Officers have turned this whole area inside out looking for her. They have thoroughly searched a 3km radius around the apartment and found nothing. Soon they will abandon hope of finding her here and look further afield.

"It is likely that whoever kidnapped Madeleine is far away by now. They could have changed her appearance. The Portuguese police didn't take her disappearance seriously at first. They thought she had just wandered off. Because of this, it was 15 hours before they alerted the Spanish border police. It is only a couple of hours' drive to Spain. The poor little thing could be long gone by now."

I found it strange that he would criticise the police operation he seemed to be part of, so I asked what his role was. He said "I've been acting as a translator for the police. I live here and speak fluent Portuguese and English. I wanted to do anything I could to help."

I then asked him when he had first heard of Madeleine's disappearance and he said: "It was first thing Friday morning. I went to the McCanns apartment and immediately offered my services to police as a translator."

He added with pride: "I helped the McCanns communicate what had happened the night before to the police. They were frantic with worry and frustrated that they were not being understood.

"I have also been translating witness statements for the last few days from Mark Warner workers and holidaymakers."

Much of that, we now suspect, was not true. But at the time, he made it sound like the police knew him very well and he was trusted enough to assist them.

Since Murat's arrest, the McCanns have said they have no memory of even meeting him. One family member said: "He is talking lies and rubbish." But it is what he said next that really set my alarm bells ringing.

I asked why he was so touched by her disappearance. "I have a daughter of the same age," he replied. "In fact, she's the spitting image of Madeleine. I felt sick to the stomach when I heard. I rushed here as soon as I could to offer my help."

WHEN I pushed him further on his background, he suddenly became uncomfortable.

He said: "I'm going through a divorce at the moment so I don't see my daughter much."

There was an evasiveness and unease about Murat that left me feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Murat was reluctant to tell me what he did for a living when I asked. After pausing for several seconds, he said: "I'm in real estate. I've just bought a couple of properties in the Algarve which I'm doing up." Why all the mystery? At this point I still knew him only as Robert, so I asked him his surname. Again he stonewalled. "It's not important," he blustered. "I'm no one really. I'd rather not say."

One minute he was desperate to talk up his role in the investigation, the next he was acting coy.

I asked him for his phone number, hoping he might be a useful source of information.

"No." he replied. "I'm not giving it out to people. I don't want to be quoted. I'm just trying to help. I'll be here quite a lot for the next few days if you need me."

More mystery, more contradictions, more mixed messages.

While we had been speaking, Sunday Mirror photographer Alban Donohoe had taken our picture.

MINUTES after we said goodbye, Murat came back to our car, agitated. He was desperate for Alban to erase the photos.

"I saw you take my picture," he blurted. "I really need you to erase it. I'm not important in the investigation."

He was polite as always, but I sensed panic in his voice and it made me uneasy. Why would a man so apparently keen to attract attention suddenly be so concerned about a couple of pictures?

Like so much else about him, it just didn't add up. Later, as we drove past I deliberately glanced at him and waved goodbye.

He was holding court as usual at the centre of a dozen film crews. He stood, hands on hips, just yards from the police tape which cordoned off the crime scene. But as he caught my eye, he appeared to freeze for just a moment and his expression changed to one of a man exposed.

My encounter with him played on my mind that night. I rang my office in London and we agreed I should pass on my concerns.

I called Leicestershire Police and they took a statement and advised me to speak to the Portuguese authorities. I called the British Embassy in the Algarve and then approached an officer for GNR - the local police force - who was guarding the McCann's apartment.

I told him I had suspicions about a man called Robert who said he was translating for police. He knew instantly who I meant and assured me he would be checked out. I told him Robert had claimed he was translating witness statements and he replied: "That is very unlikely to be true."

My decision to report Murat had nothing to do with being a journalist. It was based on gut instinct and a natural sense of duty that I should share my suspicions. Given the unimaginable horrors which Madeleine's parents were enduring, it seemed the very least I should do.

Murat insists he is innocent, a scapegoat for the failure of police to find Madeleine. He also claims he is a victim of a smear campaign orchestrated by me.

Nothing could be further from the truth, or more absurd. I have no grudge against Murat - just a desire to see Madeleine found.

All I did was pass on information I thought the authorities should be privy to. The rest is in the police's hands."

ARTICLE ENDS

Now, I wouldn't have thought that Robert Murat was criticising the police with what he said about widenining the search and the borders not having been closed. I would have thought of that as more an explanation, a regret on the part of the police because they had originally thought that Madeleine had possibly wandered off and had come to feel they may have got it wrong.

I note that Ms Campbell says that Robert Murat said he was, "acting," as a translator for the police. This implies to me that he was not claiming any official status, rather that his was a temporary role.

Ms Campbell states that she approached Robert Murat to ask if there was any news, having seen him with the police. She then thought it odd that Mr Murat did not wish to discuss his personal life and background. This strikes me as being the actions of a rather modest person, not an attention-seeking person. Mr Murat was ready to speak about his part in what was happening, and like him, I would have wondered why a journalist would want to know about my background. I see nothing odd whatsoever in Murat's reluctance to discuss his personal life.

Ms Campbell, we still don't know what has become of Madeleine, nearly a year on. If Robert Murat's arguido status is lifted, his representatives may wish to speak to a few people. I read in another Sunday Mirror article that you traveled to Barcelona to, "give evidence," to Metodo3, about "Why I told cops"

"Give evidence."? You give evidence to the police Ms Campbell. Metodo3 is a private agency.

"They were intensely interested as I told how he claimed he was a translator working for the Portuguese police and, as such, had offered to brief me on the investigation. I explained how he was always present at the scene during the first few days."

Ms Campbell, you said in the article above, "Why I shopped Maddy suspect," that you had approached Mr Murat for news. So, is that the same as his offering to brief you on the investigation?

And did he claim to be working for the police? You reported his saying that he was, "acting as a translator," for the police. Seems to be quite a different meaning there, at least as far as I understand it.

"I then asked him when he had first heard of Madeleine's disappearance and he said: "It was first thing Friday morning. I went to the McCanns apartment and immediately offered my services to police as a translator."

That is what you reported in your article, that he offered his services, not that he said he was working for the police.

Well, at least it wasn't you who mentioned Robert Murat and Ian Huntley in the same semtence! The person who did may find himself being asked a few awkward questions if Murat's arguido status is lifted.

SOS Madeleine McCann: the only logical attitude for the McCanns would be to co-operate with the police

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

24.03.2008

"La seule attitude logique pour les McCann serait de collaborer avec la justice"

"Pour résoudre le mystère entourant la disparition de Maddie, les inspecteurs de la Police Judiciaire n’ont pas abandonné leur intention de réinterroger Kate et Gerry McCann, même si dans un premier temps, leur objectif est celui d’entendre au complet le groupe d’amis vulgairement connus comme Tapas 7."

To resolve the mystery surrounding Maddie's disappearance, the PJ inspectors have not given up their intention to re-interrogate Kate and Gerry McCann, even if in the first instance their objective is to hear the whole group of friends, known vulgarly as Tapas 7.

"Nous n’avons pas écarté la possibilité d’interroger à nouveau les parents… la seule attitude logique pour les McCann serait de collaborer avec la justice. Pour connaître le sort de Maddie, j’espère, et il serait normal, de compter avec leur collaboration," affirme un inspecteur, rajoutant "qu'il y a des questions auxquelles le couple n’a jamais voulu répondre… peut’ être que dans leur pays ils soient prêts à le faire ."

We have not ruled out the possibility of interrogating the parents again...the only logical attitude for the McCanns would be to co-operate with the police. In order to know what happened to Maddie, I hope, and it would be normal, to count on their co-operation," states an inspector, adding, "that there are questions to which the couple never wanted to respond....perhaps in their country they would be ready to do that.

SOS Madeleine McCann 29/05/07: Police monitor telephone traffic

SOS Madeleine McCann 29/05/07

29.05.2007

"POLICE CONTROLE TRAFIC TELEPHONIQUE"

"Tout le trafic téléphonique enregistre entre 20h00 et 21h00, le 3 mai, a proximité du complexe touristique Ocean Club, d’ou a été enlevée Madeleine McCann est vérifiée en détail par la Police Judiciaire portugaise. La PJ, qui compte avec l’aide de spécialistes britanniques, prétend ainsi identifier touts les téléphones portables, et leurs respectives propriétaires, présents la nuit de la disparition."

All telephone traffic registered between 20.00 and 21.00, on the 3rd of May, in the vicinity of the tourist complex, the Ocean Club, from where Madeleine McCann was abducted, is verified in detail by the Portuguese Judicial Police. The PJ, who count on the help of British specialists, claim thus to identify all mobile phones, and their respective owners, present on the night of the disappearance.

"Cette recherche est “comparable a la recherche d’une aguille dans une botte de foin”, affirme une source proche des autorités. Mais, avec les nouvelles technologies, on peut déjà localiser et identifier un portable même quand il est éteint, ce que nous aide à identifier les communications effectués dans la région au moment de l’enlèvement."

"This search is like looking for a needle in a haystack," states a source close to the authorities. But with the new technologies, it is already possible to locate and identify a mobile even when it is switched off, that helps us to identify communications in the area at the time of the abduction.

"Cette même localisation a été effectué aux portables de Robert Murat (dans la photo en haut à gauche), le seule inculpe dans ce dossier, et de Sergey Malinka (photo de doite), son ami russe, mais rien d’important est ressortie. La localisation a été effectué avec le système de traceback que permet de savoir d’ou les appels avec un portable on été effectués (quand on fait un appel on utilise l’antenne la plus proche). Malinka, le russe, ne se trouvait pas, à ce moment, dans les environs de l’endroit d’ou Madeleine a été enlevée."

The same localisation has been used for Robert Murat's mobile (in the photo above left), the only suspect in the case, and that of Sergey Malinka (photo on the right) his Russian friend, but nothing of significance emerged. The localisation was done with the traceback system, which allows the user to know where calls from a mobile were made from. (When a call is made the nearest antenna is used), Malinka, the Russina was not, at that time, in the vicinity of the place from which Madeleine was abducted.

"Pour rappel, Robert Murat a loué une voiture le samedi ou Madeleine a célébrée son anniversaire, pour la rendre le lendemain des recherches à sa maison. A la société de location il a dit avoir prêté sa propre voiture à des volontaires dans les recherches de la petite. On ne sait pas vers quel destination il s’est absente mais, avec la localisation d’appels la police cherche aussi à le savoir."

As a reminder, Robert Murat rented a car on the Saturday of Madeleine's birthday, to keep it the day after the searches at his house. At the leasing company he said that he had loaned his own car to volunteers in the search for the little girl. Nobody knows where he went but, with the localisation of calls, the police are seeking also to know this.

(There are several more paragraphs in this bog post. One is about the police monitoring maritime traffic from Algarve ports and nothing unusual being discovered. The only unknown was a Dutch boat, which arrived two days before Madeleine disappeared and left early on the evening of May 3rd. Another paragraph is about renewed interest in micro chipping children, an idea put forward after the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. There is also mention of a report in The Sun, that a source close to the investigation had informed The Sun that links to pornographic sites had been found on robert Murat's computer. )

SOS Madeleine McCann: archived posts 5/05/07 - 30/05/07

"05/05 : Madeleine est disparue depuis moins de 48 heures mais dejà se font entendre les premiers attaques à la police portugaise : sa tante, Philomena McCann, critique la police portugaise, réclamant qu’ils ne sont pas "communicatives".

Tout le l'Océan Club est fermé et isolé. Des dizaines des policiers de la GNR et plus de vingt inspecteurs de la PJ sont sur place ; ont commencé à interroger tout le personnel et les résidents. On continue à fouiller les appartements, les maisons et les propriétés du village."

05/05: Madeleine disappeared less then 48 hours ago but already the first attacks on the Portuguese police are heard: her aunt, Philomena McCann, criticises the Portuguese police, claiming that they are not, "communicative."

The whole Ocean Club is closed and sealed. Dozens of police from the GNR and more than 20 inspectors from the PJ are in place; they have started to question all the staff and residents. The apartments and the houses and properties in the village continue to be searched.

"07/05 : Les recherches sont étendues à un rayon de 15 km. Des réseaux pédophiles internationaux sont évoqués. Tous les occupants du complexe touristique sont interrogés. La mère, Kate McCann, lance un appel à la télévision.

08/05 : Le rayon des recherches est étendu à 40km. On recherche un homme au teint hâlé, de 35 à 40 ans. De nombreux autres "suspects" seront tour à tour recherchés et interrogés durant des semaines."

07/05: The searches are extended to a radius of 15km. International paedophile networks are discussed. All the tourist occupants of the complex are questioned. The mother, Kate McCann launches a televison appeal.

08/05: The radius of the searches is extended to 40km. A dark-skinned man of around 35 to 40 years old is being sought. For weeks many more, "suspects," will, in their turn be sought and questioned.

"09/05 : Le président portugais Anibal Cavaco Silva affirme suivre l'affaire "avec grande préoccupation". Deux nouveaux policiers britanniques arrivent sur place. 250 personnes participent aux recherches et 500 appartements ont déjà été fouillés.

Une touriste norvégienne, alors identifié comme Marie Olli, dit avoir vu Madeleine dans le magasin d’une station-service marocaine près de l'hôtel Ibis à Marrakech.

Le site web www.bringmadeleinehome.com est lancé ce 9 mai, il est mis en ligne par Calum MacRae, propriétaire d’Infohost et un ancien élève de Philomena McCann, sœur de Gerry McCann. Le site changera son nom, six jours plus tard, pour findmadeleine.com (16 de Maio)."

09/05: The Portuguese president, Anibal Cavaco Silva states that he is following the case, "with great concern." Two new British police arrive. 250 people take part in the searches and 500 apartments have already been searched.

A Norwegian tourist, identified as Marie Olli, says she saw Madeleine in the shop at a Moroccan service station near the Ibis Hotel in Marrakech.

The web site www.bringmadeleinehome.com is launched this 9th day of May, put online by Calum MacRae, owner of Infohost and a former pupil of Philomena McCann, Gerry McCann's sister. The site will change its name six days later to findmadeleine.com (16th of May)

No Date: "UN SIGNE D'ESPOIR

Un papillon a donné, hier, de l’espoir à la brave Kate McCann – il s’est pose délicatement dans ses cheveux jusqu’avant l’émotionnel audience avec le Pape.

Le fragile “Red Admiral” s’est alors envolé du ruban jeune de sa queue-de-cheval, pour retourner deux minutes plus tard.

La maman de Maddie a commenté: “C’était étrange mais adorable, comme un signe d’espoir”. Le papillon est reste dans le ruban jeune – lui même un symbole du retour désiré de Maddie – quelques trente secondes.

Il s’est envolé, fait un cercle au dessus de la magnifique place de Saint Pierre, ou Kate et son mari Gerry, attendez pour rencontrer le Pape Benoit XVI.

A Sign of hope.

Yesterday, a butterfly gave hope to the brave Kate McCann - it landed delicately in her hair just before the emotional audience with the Pope.

The fragile, "Red Admiral," then flew off the yellow ribbon on her pony tail to return two minutes later.

Madeleine's mother commented: "It was strange but wonderful , as a sign of hope." The butterfly stayed on the yellow ribbon - itself a symbol of the wish for Maddie's return - for some thirty seconds.

It flew off, described a circle around the magnificent Piazza di San Pietro, where Kate and her husband were waiting to meet Pope Benedetto XVI.

"Etonnamment, il est réapparue et choisie à nouveau Kate parmi les 30.000 personnes présentes dans la place, et il s’est pose sur le revers de sa veste.

Gerry a été le premier à remarquer la deuxième apparition et à enlacé sa femme dans ses bras.

Le porte-parole de la famille, Clarence Mitchell, qui accompagné le couple a souligne « J’ai presque crie. C’était comme si Madeleine était avec nous, et c’était de bon augure”.

Astonishingly, it reappeared and again chose Kate from amongst the 30,000 people present and landed on the lapel of her jacket.

Gerry was the first to notice the second appearance and wrapped his arms around his wife.

Clarence Mitchell, the family's PR spokesperson, who accompanied the couple, stressed, "I nearly cried. It was as if Madeleine was with us, and it was a good omen."

No Date: "VOYANTE/PROFILER VA AIDER LES RECHERCHES."

"Tout est bon pour aider à trouver Maddie. La presse britannique annonce ce soir qu’une voyante, Diane Lazarus, se prépare à partir vers le Portugal pour aider dans les recherches en cours.

Diane Lazarus, 40 ans, est connue pour avoir déjà aide la police britannique comme profiler dans d’autres dossiers, notamment le cas de Jill Dando et de la petite Sarah Payne.
Dans une entrevue exclusive au quotidien « The Sun », la voyante avance quelques informations:

- Maddie à été choisie après avoir été secrètement observée par les kidnappeurs, parmi eux il y a une femme;

-Maddie est en Espagne, après avoir été transporte en voiture. On s’en occupe bien d’elle."

PSYCHIC/PROFILER WILL HELP WITH THE SEARCH.

Anything that helps to find Maddie is good. The British press announce this evening that a psychic, Daine lazarus, is getting ready to leave for Portugal to help in the searches which are underway.

Diane Lazarus, aged 40, is known for having already helped the British police as a profiler in other cases, notably the case of Jill Dando and that of little Sarah Payne.

In an exclusive interview with the daily newspaper, "The Sun," the psychic put forward some information:

- Maddie was chosen after having been secretly watched by the kidnappers, amongst whom is a woman.

- Maddie is in Spain, after having been transported in a car. She is being well taken care of.

"Diane affirme, “je ne pense pas que Madeleine soit encore au Portugal, en plus je suis certaine qu’on l’a déplacé à plusieurs reprises. J’espère que le fait d’aller à Praia da Luz pourra m’aider à trouver vers ou on l’a transporte, mais je pense qu’elle est en Espagne ».

Maddie à l'aspect d'un garçon

La presse britannique, qu’accorde une grande crédibilité à cette voyante/profiler, mentionne encore que “ ils on coupè les cheveux de Maddie et lui on donné l’aspect d’un garçon”.

Diane claims, "I do not think that Madeleine is still in Portugal, what's more I am certain that she has been moved several times. I hope that going to Praia will help me find where she has been taken, but I think she is in Spain.

Maddie looks like a boy.

The British press, which gives great credence to this psychic/profiler, notes again that, "they have cut Maddie's hair and given her the appearance of a boy."

"Diane dit: “très sincèrement, je ne pense pas qu’on à fait du mal à la petites, et elle va retourner chez maman et papa”.

La voyante/profiler ne croit pas dans la culpabilité de Robert Murat et indique que les responsables pour l’enlèvement ne sont pas britanniques.

Diane va passer quatre jours dans le village d’où on à enlevée Maddie et espère s’entendre avec le couple McCann, sans vouloir offenser leurs conviction catholiques. « Je n’irais pas au Portugal sans l’accord de la famille », rajoute la voyante pour qui « prier fonctionne. Tout le monde devrait prier pour le retour de Maddie, saine et sauve ».

VOIR NOTE A PROPOS DE LA VISITE DE GERRY ET KATE McCANN EN BELGIQUE "

Diane says: "honestly, I do not think that anyone has hurt the little girl, and she is going return to her mother and father." The psychic/profiler does not believe in Robert Murat's guilt and claims that those responsible for the abduction are not British.
Diane will spend four days in the village from where Madeleine was abducted and hopes to speak with the McCann couple without wishing to offend their Catholic convictions. "I am not going to Portugal without the agreement of the family." adds the psychic for whom, "prayer works. Everybody should pray for Madeleine's return safe and well.

SEE THE NOTE ABOUT GERRY AND KATE McCANN'S VISIT TO BELGIUM.

"30.05.2007

Parents de Maddie au Pays Bas

Apres leur visite à Rome, et le retour ce soir à Praia da Luz (Portugal), les parents de Madeleine on encore prévu de voyager, cette semaine, ver les Pays Bas, ou ils doivent divulguer l’image de leur fille.

Madeleine's parents in the Netherlands

After their visit to Rome, and the return this evening to Praia da Luz (Portugal), Madeleine's parents again planned to travel, this week, to the Netherlands, where they will display their daughter's image.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/archive/2007/05/index.html