Enfants Kidnappés 2/05/08: Praia da Luz, one year in the past?

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

Praia da Luz un an en arrière?
Les pages des journaux sont à nouveaux remplis d'articles sur "L'affaire Maddie", les chaînes de télévision font des débats avec les mêmes intervenants et parlent de la même chose, avec les mêmes positions que l'année dernière. Le village de Praia da Luz fait de nouveau le plein de journalistes. Si on ferme les yeux, tout semble être redevenu comme au début de la disparition de Madeleine. Disparition qui a choqué profondément, quelle que soit la conclusion à laquelle l'enquête arrivera: "Rapt, homicide ou accident". Les parents, qui continuent à être suspectés dans cette affaire, choisissent les télévisions et les journaux auxquels ils accordent des interviews... Bref, rien n'a changé. Seule la police a changé de stratégie en optant pour la politique du silence. Les parents ne savent officiellement rien des preuves récoltées par la PJ, ni des résultats d'ADN, ni des odeurs de cadavre, ni des résultats d'analyse de vestiges de sang... du moins en théorie. Et c'est bien ce qui les gêneraient, ce manque d'informations officielles compliquerait leur stratégie de défense.

The newspaper pages are again filled with articles about, "The Madeleine case," the television channels have discussions with the same players and talk about the same thing, with the same positions as last year. The village of Praia da Luz is again full of journalists. If you close your eyes, everything seems to have become again just as at the beginning in Madeleine's disappearance. A disappearance which shocked deeply, whatever the conclusion the investigation arrives at: "Kidnap, murder or accident." The parents, who continue as suspects in this case, choose the television channels and the journalists to whom they give interviews...In short, nothing has changed. Only the police have changed their strategy, opting for the politics of silence. The parents do not know anything officially of the evidence gathered by the PJ, neither about the DNA results, nor the cadaver odours, nor the results of the analysis of traces of blood...at least in theory. And this is what would bother them, this lack of official information will complicate their defence strategy.

Une reconstitution a déjà été faite.

C'est dans un certain silence, voire une certaine indifférence qu'une première reconstitution a déjà été faite en octobre 2007. Une reconstitution, en langage criminel, signifie rassembler tous les éléments et intervenants d'une même affaire et les replacer dans les circonstances du crime ou du délit. Permettant d'avoir une vue complète sur les évènements. Ce qui n'est pas possible sur papier ou bien des éléments peuvent ne pas paraître aussi évident. Ainsi, une reconstitution permet de révéler bien des éléments. Or une première reconstitution a déjà été faite en octobre dernier avec tous les éléments et figurants présent à Praia de Luz le 03 mai entre 18h30 et 22h40. Seuls, les intervenants principaux n'étaient pas présents. C'était voulu! En effet, maintenant la PJ dispose d'une vue précise de ce qui s'est passé ou plutôt de "qui faisait quoi" et surtout "où et à quel moment" précis

A reconstruction has already been done.

It was in a certain silence, even a certain indifference that the first reconstruction was done in October 2007. A reconstruction, in criminal language, means bringing back together all the elements and players in the case and putting them back into the circumstances of the crime or offence, allowing a complete view of the events. This is not possible on paper, where many of the details would not be clear enough. Thus a reconstruction allows the details to be revealed more clearly. Now, a first reconstruction has already been done last October with all the elements and the people present in Praia da Luz on May 3rd between 18.30 and 22.40. Only the principal players were not present. It was valuable. In fact, now the PJ has a clear view of what happened or rather of, "who did what," and above all, "where and at what time," precisely.

Le principe est de mettre en place tous les intervenants secondaires et de suivre minute par minute leurs faits et gestes. Ainsi il ne reste plus qu'à y placer les intervenants principaux. Cette technique permet de démontrer les incohérences éventuelles. Elle permet de dire: "non, à cette heure là vous ne pouviez pas être à tel endroit! Sinon l'intervenant untel vous aurait vu" ou "Non, à ce moment là 'x' ne savait pas partir par là car un camion bloquait le chemin" ou, au contraire confirmer que "oui, à ce moment précis untel vous a bien vu" ou "oui à tel endroit ce trouvait bien un groupe constitué de x, y et z" etc. etc.

The principal is to put in place all the secondary players and to follow, minute by minute, their actions and their movements. Thus, it only remains to place the principal players there. This technique helps to show any real inconsistencies. We can say, "no, at that time you could not have been in that place! Otherwise this other player would have seen you," or, "No, at that time 'x' could not have gone through there because a lorry was blocking the way," or, on the contrary to confirm that, "yes, at that exact time someone saw you," or, "yes at such a place there was a group made up of x, y and z" etc etc.

Pourquoi les parents ne participent pas à la reconstitution ?

Il est très difficile de comprendre les motivations des McCann en la matière. En effet, comment comprendre des parents, qui clament que leur fille est encore en vie quelque part, ne pas vouloir participer à une reconstitution permettant de révéler des éléments vitaux pour l'enquête. Quels sont leurs motivations ? On peut émettre des milliers d'hypothèses à ce sujet. Les pros McCann vont leur trouver autant d'excuses à ne pas participer que les antis McCann ne vont trouver de raisons de leur culpabilité aux fait qu'ils ne participent pas à la reconstitution. Ce qui reste choquant, au delà de toute considération d'innocence ou de culpabilité, c'est que cette reconstitution pourrait bien expliquer ce qui s'est réellement passé. L'important n'est-il pas Madeleine ? N'est-ce pas l'objectif principal ? Doit-on, oui ou non, savoir ce qui est arrivé à Maddie ?

Why are the parents not participating in the reconstruction?

It is very difficult to understand the McCanns' motivations in the matter. In fact, how to understand parents who claim that their child is still alive somewhere, not wanting to participate in a reconstruction helping to reveal vital details for the investigation. What is their motivation? We could come up with thousands of hypotheses on this subject. The pro-McCanns will find as many excuses for not participating as the anti-McCanns will find reasons for their guilt in the fact that they are not participating in the reconstruction. What is still shocking, beyond any consideration of innocence or guilt, is that this reconstruction could well explain what actually happened. Isn't it Madeleine who is important? Isn't that the main objective? Should we, yes or no, know what happened to Maddie?

La question que l'on est tous en droit de se poser est: de quoi ont-ils peur ?

• De la presse ? Ridicule, Maddie est plus importante qu'un article dans un journal !
  
• De la PJ et du risque d'être accusé ? Ridicule également, le fait d'être accusé officiellement ne signifie pas emprisonnement! Le système judiciaire fait que de nombreux "accusés" sont en liberté dans l'attente d'un procès. Laissé en liberté par le magistrat car ils ne représentent pas un danger pour autrui! Tout le monde sait cela. En outre, et sans vouloir briser le secret de justice, les parents McCann savent pertinemment que si la PJ doit définir une accusation, cette dernière portera sur un seul des deux parents, pas sur les deux!
  
• Peur que la vérité éclate ? Ridicule aussi, en effet n'est-ce pas ce que les parents réclament depuis le début ?
  

The question we are within our rights to ask: what are they afraid of?

• Of the press? Ridiculous! Maddie is more important than an aricle in a newspaper!
• Of the PJ and the risk of being arrested? Equally ridiculous. the fact of being accused does not mean being imprisoned! Under the system of justice, many, "accused," are at liberty while awaiting trial. They are left at liberty by the magistrate because they do not represent a danger to others. Everybody knows that. In addition, without wishing to breach the secrecy of justice, the McCann parents know that if the PJ should make an accusation, that would be against one of the two parents and not both.
  
• Fear that the truth will become clear? Ridiculous also, in fact isn't that what the parents have wanted since the start?
  

Alors de quoi ont-ils peur ? A ce jour aucun des deux n'a voulu répondre à cette question.

Une décision incompréhensible pour les enquêteurs : "si leur fille serait en vie, la décision la plus logique et naturel serait d'aider la police, aussi bien ici (Royaume-Uni) qu'au Portugal. S'ils croient Maddie est en vie, alors la reconstitution de la Police Judiciaire prends tout son sens, et leur participation serait plus importante que tous les interviews et documentaires," affirme un des officiers britanniques envoyés à Praia da Luz en mai 2007.

Then what are they afraid of? To this day neither of them has wanted to reply to this question.

An incomprehensible decision for the investigators: "if their daughter is still alive, the most logical and natural decision would be to help the police, here (UK) and in Portugal. If they believe that Maddie is alive, then the reconstruction by the PJ makes total sense, and their participation would be more important than all the interviews and documentaries, "states one of the British officers sent to Praia da Luz in May 2007.

Interview des parents McCann.

Le couple McCann a accordé une interview à différentes chaîne de télévisions. Kate et Gerry croient encore que leur fille est en vie. Le couple avance qu'il y a eu des imperfections dans la communication entre les enquêteurs et eux.

TVI: Comment avez vous réagit quand vous avez été déclarés suspects ?
Kate: J'admets que j'ai été très ennuyée. Je dois être honnête pour Madeleine. Les gens ont commencé à me regarder avec soupçons et c'est dévastateur.

Interview with the McCann parents.

The McCann couple gave an interview to different television channels. Kate and Gerry still believe that their daughter is alive. The couple suggest that there have been faults in the communication between the investigators and themselves.

TVI: How did you react when you were declared suspects?
Kate: I admit that I was very worried. I must be honest for Madeleine. People started to look at me with suspicion and it was devastating.

RTP: Qu'est-ce qui a été votre pire cauchemar depuis que cela vous est arrivé?
Gerry: Les premiers jours ont été notre pire cauchemar. La pensée que Madeleine a été prise par quelqu'un et qu'elle soit morte.

RTP: What has been your worst nightmare since this happened?
Gerry: The first days were our worst nightmare. The thought that Madeleine had been taken by someone and that she was dead.

Sky News: Comment envisagez-vous l'hypothèse de la reconstitution des évènements de cette nuit ?
Gerry: Comment peut-on faire une reconstitution dont on sait clairement qu'elle sera fabriquée ?

TVI: Qu'elles sont les éléments qui vous rendent suspects ?
Gerry: Nous ne savons pas. Nous ne savons pas ce que fait la PJ exactement. Nous ne savons pas si des suspects ont été éliminés et sur quel fondement. Nous ne savons pas qu'elles sont les pistes suivies et c'est triste, parce que nous voulons que la moindre pierre soit retournée pour retrouver Maddie et nous avons besoin de savoir que tous ce qui était possible a été fait.

Sky News: How do you envisage the idea of the reconstruction of the events of that night?
Gerry: How can a reconstruction be done when it would clearly be manufactured?

TVI: What are the details that make you suspects?
Gerry: We don't know. We don't know exactly what the PJ are doing. We don't know if suspects have been eliminated or on what basis. We don't know what leads are being followed and that is sad, because we want every stone to be turned to find Madeleine and we need to know that everything possible is being done.

TVI: La PJ déclare que les auditions sont contradictoires. Comment expliquez-vous cela ?
Gerry: je ne vois pas les doutes que la PJ a encore.

SIC: Comment prévoyez-vous de parler de Madeleine aux jumeaux ?
Kate: Ils parlent tous les jours de leur soeur... Quand ils jouent, ils l'incluent dans leurs jeux. C'est très difficile - Kate en larmes poursuit - Ils savent qu'elle st disparue et que nous la recherchons ----- Gerry interrompt... - Sean à demandé: "Quand nous serons au Portugal, Maddie sera là ?"

SIC: Comment s'est passée cette dernière année ?
Gerry: Cette dernière année a été, et de loin, l'année la plus difficile de notre vie. Nous avons été motivés par la forte possibilité que Madeleine soit encore en vie. L'amour et la joie de Madeleine continue à travers Sean et Amélie.

TVI: The PJ states that the hearings were contradictory. How do you explain that?
Gerry: I don't see the doubts yet that the PJ has.

SIC: How do you foresee talking to the twins about Madeleine?
Kate: They talk about their sister every day...When they are playing, they include her in their games. It is very difficult - in tears, Kate continues - They know she has disappeared and that we are looking for her ----Gerry interrupts...Sean asked, "When we were in Portugal, was Maddie there?"

SIC: What has happened this past year?
Gerry: This last year has been, and by far, the most difficult year of our life. We have been motivated by the strong possibility that Madeleine is still alive. Madeleine's love and joy continue through Sean and Amelie.

SIC: Comment occupez-vous vos journées ?
Gerry: La plupart du temps je suis en train de travailler et la majorité de nos nuits nous les passons à travailler sur la campagne pour chercher Madeleine.

RTP: Etes-vous anxieux à l'idée de retourner au Portugal ?
Kate: Oui. Nous n'avions pas imaginé que le Portugal attirerait autant l'attention.

RTP: Après une année, vous pensez encore retrouver Madeleine ?
Kate: Il y a beaucoup d'hypothèse qu'elle soit en vie, oui. Il y a tellement d'enfants qui ont été retrouvés après plusieurs années.

RTP: Pourquoi n'avez-vous pas pris Maddie avec vous au tapas Bar ?
Gerry: Parce que les enfants étaient en train de dormir à 19h30

SIC: How do you fill your days?
Gerry: Most of the time I am st work and the majority of our nights we spend working on the campaign to find Madeleine.

RTP: Are you anxious about the idea of returning to Portugal?
Kate: Yes. We never imagined that Portugal would attract so much attention.

RTP: After a year, you still think you will find Madeleine?
Kate: There are many hypotheses that she is alive, yes. There are so many children who have been found after several years.

RTP: Why didn't you take Maddie with you to the tapas bar?
Gerry: Because the children were going to sleep at 19.30.

Nous vivons au purgatoire.

Maddie à été vue des milliers de fois à travers le monde, elle est la petite fille la plus connue de la planète. Les parents, Gerry et Kate, continuent à avoir l'espoir que Madeleine soit en vie. Attitude normale s'il en est. Aucuns parents n'admettraient le décès de son enfant sans en avoir vu son cadavre. Ils insistent sur la thèse du rapt (NDLR: thèse qui pourrait être confirmée ou infirmée lors de la reconstitution si tous les acteurs sont présents...) et ont dressé un portrait-robot du suspect qui aurait pris Madeleine.

We are living in purgatory.

Maddie has been seen thousands of times all over the world, she is the best known child on the planet. The parents, Gerry and Kate, continue to have hope that Madeleine is alive. A normal attitude for anyone. No parent would admit the death of their child without having seen her body. They insist on th idea of kidnap (NDLR: an idea which could be confirmed or ruled out during the reconstruction if all the players were present...) and have produced a sketch of the suspect who could have taken Madeleine.

Kate et Gerry ont accepté de participer à un reportage pour la chaîne ITV moyennant la somme de 16.600 euros. Les parents garantissent que ce montant a été déposé sur le compte "Find Madeleine". Dans le reportage, Kate et Gerry affirment que la PJ "leur a proposé un accord" s'ils admettaient le décès accidentel de Madeleine et l'occultation du cadavre. Les parents déclarent: "vivre un purgatoire". Les parents n'iront pas au Portugal car ils ne croient pas que la reconstitution de la nuit où Madeleine a disparu puisse apporter quoi que ce soit à l'enquête. Selon le porte-parole des parents, Clarence Mitchell, Kate et Gerry veulent profiter de la commémoration de la disparition de Maddie pour relancer la communication afin qu'elle ne sombre pas dans l'oubli et ainsi récolter de l'argent pour le fond. Il est toutefois à noter que les parents auraient reçu une avance de 1.200.000 € pour la publication d'un livre racontant leur expérience après la disparition de Madeleine. Il s'agit là de "l'unique livre officiel" s'est empressé de déclarer Clarence Mitchell.

Kate and Gerry agreed to aprticipate in a documentary for the ITV channel for the sum of 16,600 Euros. The parents guarantee that this amount has been deposited in the, "Find Madeleine," account. In the documentary, Kate and Gerry stated that the PJ, "offered them a deal," if they admitted Madeleine's accidental death and the hiding of the body. The parents state: "a living purgatory." The parents will not go to Portugal because they do not bleieve that the reconstruction of the night Madeleine disappeared could bring anything to the enquiry. According to the parents' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, Kate and Gerry want to take advantage of the commemoration of Maddie's disappearance to relaunch communication in order that it does not sink into oblivion and thus raise money for the fund. It is, however, noted that the parents would receive an advance of 1,200,000 Euros for the publication of a book recounting their experience after Madeleine's disappearance. This is, "the only official book," Clarence Mitchell hastened to say.

SOS Maddie 2/05/08: the McCanns call on witnesses to violate the secrecy of justice

I just could not believe what I was reading on the BBC's web site this morning. Kate and Gerry McCann, suspects in the disappearance of their daughter, are calling on anyone who gave information to the PJ, Crimestoppers, or the British police, to get in touch and give them the same information. The McCanns are saying that the police are not giving them any information. Well! That may be because you are, what's the word? Suspects! The police do not usually share such information with suspects unless the case goes to trial and then the defence lawyers apply for their right of disclosure. Until then, witness statements, as far as I know, are not usually shared with the suspects! Good God! Who do those two think they are and how come they're getting away with potentially interfering with witnesses?

Later, at lunchtime, I was in a shop in Nuneaton, when I noticed a banner headline on one of the, "red tops." Beneath a photo of a very doleful-looking Kate McCann was a quote about their having to find Madeleine themselves. Excuse me, but what have they been paying Metodo 3 to do? I thought they had been looking for Madeleine. Then there was the quote from Kate the other day, that sometimes she feels like giving up the search for Madeleine. Now, according to that newspaper, they're about to start!

And what about that information given out this week? Why weren't Kate and Gerry out searching on the night Madeleine disappeared, along with the locals and the police? They were praying all through the night! Right! Well, I have found it's actually possible to pray on the move, wherever you happen to be. You really don't need to be on your knees in your room or in a church.

Anyway! SOS Maddie article from Duarte Levy today makes some very good points....as usual!

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

McCann appellent les témoins à violer le secret de justice

Kate et Gerry McCann, arguidos dans l’enquête à la disparition de leur fille Madeleine, ont lancé un appel à tous les témoins qui ont fourni des informations à la Police Judiciaire dans le cadre des investigations, leur demandant de prendre contact avec le nouveau numéro de téléphone mis en service aujourd’hui au Royaume-Uni.

The McCanns call on witnesses to violate the secrecy of justice.

Kate and Gerry McCann, arguidos in the investigation into their daughter Madeleine's disappearance, have launched an appeal to all the witnesses who gave information to the PJ in the framework of the investigations, asking them to make contact with the new telephone number set up today in the UK.

Faute d’avoir réussi à avoir accès au dossier de la Police Judiciaire, encore sous secret de justice, le couple cherche à prendre connaissance de ce que les témoins ont pu dire à la Police Judiciaire.
"Ce que nous vous demandons de faire c’est, si vous avez fourni des informations à la police (britannique), à Crimestoppers, ou à la police portugaise, nous vous demandons de nous les communiquer également," à demandé Gerry McCann.

Not having succeeded in gaining access to the PJ's file, still under the secrecy of justice, the couple are looking to find out what the witnesses could have said to the PJ.
"This is what we are asking you to do, if you have given information to the police (British) to Crimestoppers, or to the Portuguese police, we are asking you to communicate that to us too," Gerry McCann asked.

Selon une source du Ministère Public à Lisbonne, "l’appel lancé par le couple McCann équivaux à une incitation au crime, car tous les témoins doivent respecter le secret de justice et ne doivent pas révéler des informations du dossier, excepte dans les cas prévues par la loi."

According to a source at the Public Ministry in Lisbonne, "the appeal launched by the McCann couple is equivalent to inciting a crime, because all the witnesses should respect the secrecy of justice and should not reveal information from the case, except in cases allowed by the law.

Le nouveau numéro (00 44 845 8384699), formellement présenté ce vendredi par des entrevues de Kate et Gerry McCann préenregistrées dans un hôtel de Londres, remplace la ligne mise en service par Metodo 3 à Barcelone (Espagne) et qui n’a jamais apporté la moindre information crédible à propos de la disparition de Madeleine.

The new number (00 44 845 8384699), formally presented this Friday in interviews with Kate and Gerry McCann, pre-recorded in a London hotel, replaces the number set up by Metodo 3 in Barcelona (Spain) and which never provided any credible information about Madeleine's disappearance.

Madeleine a disparu le 3 mai 2007, quelques jours avant son quatrième anniversaire, de l’intérieur de l’appartement de vacances choisie par ses parents à l’Océan Club, un complexe touristique à Praia da Luz, au sud du Portugal, sous gestion de la société britannique Mark Warner.

Madeleine disappeared on May 3rd 2007, a few days before her fourth birthday, from inside the holiday apartment chosen by her parents at the Ocean Club, a tourist complex at Praia da Luz, in the south of Portugal, which is under the management of the British company, Mark Warner.

Kate et Gerry McCann, après avoir échoué à obtenir l’abandon, par les autorités portugaises, de leur statut d’arguidos, se plaignent de ne pas avoir eu accès aux informations sous secret de justice.

Kate and Gerry, after having failed to obtain the lifting of their arguido status by the Portuguese authorities, are complaining about not having had access to information under the secrecy of justice.

Malgré l’intervention du responsable en communication, Clarence Mitchell, ancien responsable de l’Unité de Surveillance des Médias du gouvernement de Tony Blair et Gordon Brown, et la pression exercé par la diplomatie britannique auprès des autorités portugaises, les avocats du couple au Royaume-Uni et au Portugal n’ont pas réussi à prendre connaissance de la nature exacte des éléments réunis par la Police Judiciaire et ses collègues du Leicestershire.

In spite of the intervention of their media spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, former head of the government's Media Monitoring Unit, of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and the pressure exerted by British dipolmats on the Portuguese authorities, the couple's lawyers in the UK and in Portugal have not succeeded in finding out the exact nature of the evidence gathered by the PJ and their Leicestershire colleagues.

Toujours sans aucune aide des autorités britanniques, Robert Murat demande des comptes aux médias

Le Correio da Manhã et le Journal de Noticias sont les premiers médias portugais à devenir la cible des procès en justice du britannique Robert Murat, premier arguido dans l’enquête à la disparition de Madeleine McCann, qui les accuse de diffamation. Selon son avocat, Francisco Pagarete, le 24 Horas et les chaines de télévision TVI et RTP seront les prochains à se joindre à une énorme liste ou figurent déjà tous les grands médias britanniques.

Still without any help from the British authorities, Robert Murat asks for compensation from the media.

Correio da Manha and the Journal de Noticias are the first Portuguese media to become the target for legal action by the British man Robert Murat, first arguido in the investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance, accusing them of defamation. According to his lawyer, Francisco Pagarete, 24 Horas and the television channels TVI and RTP will be next to join an enormous list, on which all the major British media already figure.

Le montant des indemnisations prétendues n’a pas encore été révélé car le britannique donne préférence aux négociations en privé avant d’avancer vers les salles des tribunaux.

Au Royaume-Uni, Robert Murat a déjà accusé de diffamation 13 journaux et une chaine de télévision. Le britannique, qui n’a jamais reçu au Portugal la moindre aide de son ambassade ou consulat, demande aux médias de son pays la somme record de 2 millions de livres, plus de 2,5 millions d’euros, une des plus grandes indemnisations dans l'histoire du Royaume-Uni.

The amount of compensation claimed has not yet been revealed because the British man is giving preference to private negotiations before going to the courts.

In the UK, Robert Murat has already accused 13 newspapers and a television channel of defamation. The British man, who has never received the slightest assistance from his ambassador or consul in Portugal, is demanding from his country's media the record sum of 2 million pounds, more than 2.5 million Euros, one of the largest claims in UK history.

Fourniret Trial: the facts, but no explanation.

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

The families of Michel Fourniret's victims have attended the trial in Charleville-Mézières, talking about their children and hoping for some kind of explanation about why Michel Fourniret did what he did. Fourniret has remained adamant that he will not speak at a public trial; he wanted the proceedings to be in camera. So, "lips sealed." Is he worried that he may be attacked? Monique Olivier appears to be wearing a protective vest over her clothing. I am not sure if Fourniret is wearing similar protective gear, but Olivier's vest would imply tight security.

The couple sit behind bullet-proof glass. I recall a few years ago when a German woman took a gun into a courtroom and shot the man who had raped and murdered her daughter and I wonder what I would feel like, as perhaps the mother of Elisabeth Brichet. I couldn't guarantee that were a gun available to me that I would not use it on a vile monster who had raped and murdered my young daughter.

Enfants Kidnappés continues the reporting of the trial today. There are several articles published today, which I shall post separately.

Le couple Fourniret a reconnu les faits mais sans s'expliquer vraiment*

En six semaines de procès, Michel Fourniret a reconnu les sept homicides pour lesquels il est jugé devant les assises des Ardennes, mais sans jamais consentir à s'expliquer, alors que son épouse et complice présumée Monique Olivier a fait des révélations sur leur intimité.

The Fourniret couple have admitted the facts but without really explaining.

In six weeks of the trial, Michel Fourniret has admitted the seven murders for which he is on trial before the Ardennes Assizes, but without ever agreeing to explain, while his wife and alleged accomplice Monique Olivier has made disclosures about their privacy.

Pendant les 21 jours d'audience consacrés à l'examen des faits, le tueur en série présumé est resté fidèle à sa résolution formulée dès l'ouverture du procès, le 27 mars: "Sans huis clos, bouche cousue". Il s'est contenté de reconnaître laconiquement avoir enlevé, violé puis tué entre 1987 et 2001 sept adolescentes ou jeunes femmes en France et en Belgique. Dans deux affaires où Monique Olivier n'est pas poursuivie, il a nié les viols, avant d'en reconnaître un à demi-mots. Essayant tour à tour de l'amadouer ou de l'interpeller vigoureusement, les tentatives des avocats des parties civiles pour le faire parler ont presque invariablement tourné court. L'accusé n'a pas plus réagi lorsque les familles des victimes l'ont exhorté à s'expliquer. La cour et les familles ont néanmois été confrontées à la mécanique criminelle de Michel Fourniret avec la diffusion - exceptionnelle dans un procès d'assises - d'aveux de l'accusé filmés en 2004 par la police belge.

During the 21 days of the hearing dedicated to the examination of the facts, the alleged serial killer has remained faithful to the resolution he made at the opening of the trial on March 27th: "Without the proceedings being held in camera, mouth sealed." He has contented himself with laconically acknowledging having abducted, raped then killed, seven teenagers and young women in France and Belgium between 1987 and 2001. In two cases where Monique Olivier is not charged, he denied the rapes, before grudgingly acknowledging one of them. Trying time and again to coax him or to question him vigorously, the attempts by the lawyers for the civil parties to make him speak have nearly always stopped short. Neither did the accused respond when the victims' families appealed to him to explain himself. The court and the families have, nonetheless, been confronted by the criminal machinations of Michel Fourniret with the showing - exceptional in an assizes trial - of the confessions of the accused, filmed in Belgium in 2004.

Elles ont pu ainsi voir et entendre l'accusé détailler froidement comment il avait étranglé une adolescente belge de 12 ans en 1989 ou forcé une lycéenne ardennaise de 18 ans à lui "demander de lui faire l'amour" avant de la tuer en 2000. Dans la même vidéo, il expliquait sa quête obsessionnelle de la virginité, un "symbole" selon lui. C'est d'ailleurs lorsque les débats ont porté sur sa vie sexuelle que Michel Fourniret a dérogé le plus souvent à son voeu de silence. Ainsi lors de la mise en évidence en cours d'audience d'un possible viol post-mortem sur une adolescente de 13 ans enlevée et tuée près de Nantes en 1990, l'accusé, visiblement soucieux, a renouvelé par l'intermédiaire de ses avocats sa demande de huis clos.

They were thus able to see and to hear the accused coldly detailing how he had strangled a 12 year-old Belgian teenager in 1989 or forced an 18 year-old Ardennes schoolgirl to, "ask him to make love," before killing her in 2000. In the same video, he explained his obsessive quest for virginity, a, "symbol," according to him. It is during the debates about his sex life that Michel Fourniret has departed most often from his vow of silence. Thus during the evidence given in the course of a hearing about a possible rape post-mortem on a 13 year-old teenager, abducted and killed near Nantes in 1990, the accused, visibly worried, renewed through the intermediary of his lawyers, his demand for the proceedings to be held in camera.

De la même façon, il est sorti brièvement de son silence, le dernier jour de l'examen des faits, pour réagir à la confession de son épouse qui venait de révéler qu'ils avaient rejoué des scènes de crimes pendant leurs relations sexuelles. "J'ai quand même observé que Monique Olivier a relaté les choses avec un vocabulaire (...) qui me fait gerber", a-t-il déclaré devant la cour dans une allusion aux paroles crues de sa femme. Tout au long du procès, Monique Olivier, co-accusée d'un meurtre et renvoyée pour complicité dans quatre autres, a reconnu avoir été la complice de son mari mais a nié avoir étouffé avec lui une étudiante de 21 ans à leur domicile en 1989. Dans les autres affaires, l'ancienne garde-malade a systématiquement minimisé sa participation. Vivement interpellée par les avocats des familles sur son absence de réaction pour sauver les victimes, elle a affirmé avoir agi par soumission à son mari qui lui inspirait une "peur permanente". "Je regrette. Ma place est en prison", n'a-t-elle cessé de répéter, sans jamais un regard pour les familles.

In the same way, he briefly came out of his silence, on the last day of the examination of the facts, to respond to his wife's confession in which she had just revealed that he had replayed the scenes of his crimes during their sexual relations. "I have even noted that Monique Olivier has related these things with a vocabulary (...) that makes me want to throw up," he stated before the court, alluding to the crude words of his wife. Throughout the trial, Monique Olivier, co-accused in one murder and charged with complicity in four others, has admitted having been her husband's accomplice but has denied having suffocated a 21 year-old student with him at their home in 1989. In the other cases, the former nurse has systematically minimised her participation. Keenly questioned by the lawyers for the families about her lack of reaction to save the victims, she stated that she acted by submitting to her husband who inspired in her a, "lasting fear." "I regret. My place is in prison," she did not stop repeating, without ever any regard for the families.

Michel Fourniret, 66 ans, est père de quatre enfants de deux premiers mariages. Monique Olivier, 59 ans, a eu deux garçons d'une première union. En 1998, le couple a donné naissance à un fils. Selon les experts, les deux accusés ne souffrent d'aucune pathologie mentale et sont d'une intelligence normale.

A partir de lundi, la cour va se pencher sur leur personnalité et le fonctionnement du couple. Des psychiatres et des membres des familles des deux accusés sont convoqués devant la cour.

Michel Fourniret, aged 66, is father to four children from two former marriages. Monique Olivier, aged 59, has two boys from a former marriage. In 1998, the couple's son was born. According to the experts, the two accused are not suffering from any mental illness and are of normal intelligence.

From Monday, the court will focus on the personality and the functioning of the couple. Psychiatrists and members of the families of the two accused are to appear before the court.

SOS Maddie 30/04/08. The McCanns want to ban Gonçalo Amaral's book, "The Truth of the Lie."

Apparently the McCanns have instructed their lawyers to try to ban the publication of the Gonçalo Amaral book, "The Truth of the Lie." If they do not succeed in banning it, the McCanns would like to see any reference to the events surrounding Madeleine's disappearance edited out. Their lawyers are pouring over the question of whether Amaral can write about these events, even if he has retired from the PJ. I find myself wondering if this is because they feel that they are not allowed to talk about these events, or if there are things which the McCanns would rather the general public did not know.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

McCann veulent interdire "La vérité du mensonge"

L’annonce de la publication du livre "La vérité du mensonge", signé par l’inspecteur de la Police Judiciaire (PJ) Gonçalo Amaral, ancien responsable de l’enquête à la disparition de Madeleine, inquiète Kate et Gerry McCann qui ont demandé à leurs avocats de faire interdire toute publication.

The McCanns want to ban, "The Truth of the Lie."

The announcement of the publication of the book, "The Truth of the Lie," authored by the PJ inspector, Gonçalo Amaral, former head of the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, worries Kate and Gerry, who have requested their lawyers to get all publication banned.

Indépendamment de l’idiome de publication, le couple McCann, selon un proche, est prêt à entamer des poursuites en justice contre l’inspecteur si son livre révèle certains détails des événements qui ont entouré la disparition de Maddie.
Au Portugal, les avocats du couple se sont déjà penchés sur la question de savoir si l’inspecteur aurait, ou non, le droit de publier un livre qui révèle les détails d’une enquête qu’il à lui-même dirigé et sur laquelle il doit garder une certaine réserve malgré son annonce de quitter les cadres de la PJ.

Regardless of the wording of the title, the McCann couple, according to a relative, is ready to take legal action against the inspector if his book reveals certain details of the events surrounding Maddie's disappearance.
In Portugal, the couple's lawyers are already addressing the question of finding out if the inspector has the right or not to publish a book which reveals details of an investigation which he himself led and about which he should maintain a certain discretion, in spite of his announcement to leave the employment of the PJ.

Des contacts informels ont été faits auprès de la direction nationale de la Police Judiciaire afin de connaître les éventuels limitations à que Gonçalo Amaral serait obligé.

Gonçalo Amaral, coordinateur du Département d’Investigation Criminelle (DIC) de la Police Judiciaire (PJ) à Portimão au moment de la disparition de Maddie, à été responsable des investigations qui ont amené à que Kate et Gerry McCann soient constitués arguidos, suspects d’avoir simulé l’enlèvement de leur fille et la dissimulation de son corps.

Informal contacts have been made with the national directorate of the PJ in order to find out the actual restrictions by which Gonçalo Amaral would be bound.
Gonçalo Amaral, coordinator of the Criminal Investigation Department (DIC) of the PJ at Portimao at the time of Maddie's disappearance, was head of the investigation which led to Kate and Gerry McCann being constituted arguidos, suspected of having simulated the abduction of their daughter and of disposing of her body.

Ecarté de l’enquête en octobre 2007 par le directeur national de la PJ, officiellement en conséquence d’un article du Diário de Noticias, signé par José Manuel Oliveira, lui attribuant des déclarations critiquant le travail de la police britannique, l’inspecteur Gonçalo Amaral continue à bénéficier de la confiance inconditionnel de ses collègues mais également de l’Association Syndical des Fonctionnaires d’Investigation Criminelle (ASFIC).

Dismissed from the investigation in October 2007 by the PJ's national director, officially as a consequence of an article in Diário de Noticias, written by José Manuel Oliveira, attributing to him statements critical of the work of the British police, inspector Gonçalo Amaral continues to benefit from the unconditional trust of his colleagues, but also of the Civil Servants' Trade Union Association of Criminal Investigation (ASFIC).

L’arrivée de l’inspecteur Paulo Rebelo à permis une révision du dossier mais la ligne d’enquête n’a jamais changé car toutes les pistes et indices suivies par Gonçalo Amaral ont maintenu sa valeur.
Après son départ de la Police Judiciaire, Gonçalo Amaral compte entamer des poursuites en justice contre plusieurs médias britanniques que, à default de trouver une faille à son parcours professionnel, avaient choisie de traiter l’inspecteur d’ivrogne, gros, etc.

The arrival of inspector Paulo Rebelo allowed a review of the case but the line of enquiry never changed because all leads and clues followed by Gonçalo Amaral kept their value.
After his departure from the PJ, Gonçalo Amaral intends to initiate legal action against several British media who, being unable to find a flaw in his professional work, had chosen to depict the inspector as a drunk, fat, etc.

3 livres : Maddie, l’enquête et la machine McCann

Si le livre "La vérité du mensonge" – encore sans date de publication déterminée– n’apporte pas l’opinion personnelle de Gonçalo Amaral à propos de la disparition de Madeleine, il permet toutefois aux lecteurs de comprendre le travail de la police portugaise et britannique qui à conduit les McCann à être constitués comme arguidos.
Selon l’avocat António Paulo Santos qui représente l’inspecteur, dans "La vérité du mensonge", Gonçalo Amaral ne donne pas son opinion personnelle à propos de la disparition de Madeleine.

3 books: Maddie, the investigation and the McCann machine.

If the book, "The Truth of the Lie," - date of publication still to be decided - is not about Gonçalo Amaral's personal opinion on Madeleine's disappearance, it allows the readers to understand the work of the Portuguese and British police which led to the McCanns being constituted as arguidos.
According to the lawyer António Paulo Santos, who is representing the inspector, in, "The Truth of the Lie," Gonçalo Amaral does not give his personal opinion on Madeleine's disappearance.

"Le livre sera le récit de quelqu'un qui à vécu l’investigation de l’intérieur, mais aussi de tous les faits qui l'entourent. Il interprète les faits et les indices", affirme l’avocat, soulignant que le sujet du livre, prévu en portugais et anglais, n’est pas Maddie mais plutôt l’enquête à sa disparition.
En anglais, c’est au tour de Kate et Gerry McCann d’annoncer qu’ils négocient la publication d’un livre qui raconte leur expérience après la disparition de leur fille. Selon plusieurs sources, une avance de plus d’un million et deux cents mil euros à été proposé au couple pour leur récit.

"The book will be the account of someone who has lived the investigation from the inside, but also all the facts surrounding it. He interprets the facts and the clues," the lawyer states, stressing that the subject of the book, planned in Portuguese and English, is not about Maddie but rather the investigation into her disappearance.
In England, it is the the turn of Kate and Gerry McCann to announce that they are negotiating the publication of a book which recounts their experience after their daughter's disappearance. According to several sources, an advance of one million, two hundred Euros has been offered to the couple for their account.

Selon leur responsable en communication, le livre signé par les McCann raconte leur version de l’histoire. "L’unique livre officiel", souligne Clarence Mitchell.
Aucune date n’est encore avancée pour la sortie du livre mais, selon les estimations de plusieurs experts de l’édition, il risque de devenir, au Royaume-Uni, un succès financier sans précédentes.

According to their PR spokesman, the book written by the McCanns recounts their version of the story. "The only official book," stresses Clarence Mitchell.
No date has yet been put forward for the publication of the book but, according to the estimates of several publishing experts, it could become an unprecedented financial success in the UK.

La machine McCann racontée en français

Un troisième livre, cette fois-ci en français, viendra apporter une vision différente de l’affaire McCann. Cosigné par plusieurs journalistes et édité au départ de la Belgique, le livre raconte comment et pourquoi la machine médiatique à été mise en place avant même le début de l’enquête à la disparition de Madeleine McCann.

The McCann machine told in French.

A third book, this time in French, will bring a different perspective to the McCann case. Co-authored by several journalists and published in Belgium, the book tells how and why the media machine had been set up even before the start of the enquiry into Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

Prévu pour le mois de juin, il démontre comment la diplomatie britannique à influencé le déroulement des investigations, notamment par la mise à disposition des McCann des moyens de l’état, mais il explique également quel à été le rôle de chaque intervenant.

Divers documents confidentiels et transcriptions d’enregistrements d’appels téléphoniques vont illustrer le récit.

Planned for the month of June, it shows how British diplomacy has influenced the course of the investigations, notably by the placing at the McCanns' disposal the services of the government, but it also explains the role of each of the intervening parties.

Various confidential documents and transcriptions of recordings of telephone calls will illustrate the account.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

30/04/08

Enfants Kidnappés 29/04/08. The PJ contradict the information published by Sky News.

Truth and Lies. Following a report on Sky News about the attempted abduction of a young Dutch girl in the Algarve, comes the Enfants Kidnappés report. Apparently the PJ know nothing about this attempted abduction. Does this mean that it was reported directly to Sky News, but not to the PJ? Very strange!

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

Vérité et Mensonges

La police dément les informations publiées par Sky News.

La PJ dit ne pas être au courant d'une tentative d'enlèvement d'une mineure hollandaise en Algarve comme le publie Sky News. L'affaire impliquerait un suspect dont la description serait la même que celle faite dans la disparition de Madeleine. Un responsable officiel de la PJ du département de Portimao a rapporté à la presse portugaise que la PJ n'était au courant d'aucune situation de ce genre et qu'il n'y avait aucune enquête en cours à ce sujet.

Truth and lies.

The police contradict the information published by Sky News.

The PJ say they are not aware of an attempted abduction of a very young Dutch girl in the Algarve as published by Sky News. The case would implicate a suspect whose description would be the same as that given in the disappearance of Madeleine. An official of the PJ, from the Portimao department, reported to the Portuguese press that the PJ was not aware of any situation of this kind and that there was no current investigation on this subject.

Selon Sky News, la jeune hollandaise de 15 ans rentrait chez elle, vers 18h00 ce 11 mars dernier, après être allé dans un supermarché des environs. Elle aurait été suivie par un homme en jeep noir, vitres teintées qui aurait ouvert la porte de sa voiture empêchant l'adolescente de poursuivre son chemin. Il aurait, ensuite, essayé de forcer la jeune fille à monter à bord. L'hollandaise se serait débattue et aurait réussi à échapper aux griffes de son agresseur. La jeune décrit l'homme d'environ 40 ans, cheveux long, bague en or aux doigts. Selon Sky News, la description coïncide avec celle de l'homme que Kate et Gerry McCann croient avoir enlevé leur fille. Pour mémoire, l'homme du portait robot dressé dans l'affaire McCann a été identifié en son temps et lavé de tous soupçons dans cette affaire. Le papa de la jeune hollandaise a souhaité rester anonyme.

According to Sky News, the young 15 year-old Dutch girl was going home, at around 18.00 on March 11th, after having been to a local supermarket. She had been followed by a man in a black jeep with tinted windows. The man opened the car door to block the teenager's path. He then tried to force the young girl to get into the car. The Dutch girl struggled and succeeded in escaping from the grips of her attacker. The young girl described the man as being around 40 years old, long hair, gold rings on his fingers. According to Sky News, the description matches that of the man whom Kate and Gerry McCann believe abducted their daughter. For the record, the man portrayed in the sketch in the McCann case, was idenified at that time and cleared of all suspicion in the case. The young Dutch girl's father wished to remain anonymous.

Éléments troublants

Il est à noter que les Pays-Bas reviennent souvent depuis le début de la disparition de Madeleine. En effet, Gerry a travaillé aux Pays-Bas et y de nombreuses relations. La femme qui aurait vu Madeleine dans une station essence du Maroc vit ou a vécu aux.... Pays-Bas. La femme qui prétend avoir vu Madeleine en Belgique est... hollandaise. La jeune fille qui dit avoir vu Madeleine danser dans un restaurant en France, est.... hollandaise. La jeune fille de l'article de Sky News est... hollandaise. Simple coïncidence ? En tous cas, ces éléments sont troublants. Certaines personnes, convaincues de la première heure et "contre vents et marées" de l'innocence des parents en sont arrivés à se demander: "Si les parents sont innocents, pourquoi la machine de communications de Clarence Mitchell cherche, parfois de façon très maladroite, à faire douter le public ?"

Troubling details.

It is to be noted that the Netherlands comes up often since the beginning, with Madeleine's disappearance. In fact, Gerry worked in the Netherlands and knows many people from there. The woman who had seen Madeleine in a fuel station in Morocco lives or has lived in....the Netherlands. The woman who claimed to have seen Madeleine in Belgium is....Dutch. The young girl who said she saw Madeleine dancing in a restaurant in France, is...Dutch. The young girl in the Sky News article is...Dutch. Simple coincidence? In any case, these details are troubling. Some people, convinced from the very first and, "against winds and tides," of the parents' innocence, have come to wonder: "If the parents are innocent, why the Clarence Mitchell media machine, which sometimes very awkwardly, makes the public doubt?"

Vérité et mensonges

L'ancien enquêteur en charge du dossier Madeleine, Gonçalo Amaral va publier un livre dans lequel il promet de révéler des faits et des indices rassemblés pendant l'enquête. Enquête qu'il a vécue de l'intérieur. "Le livre sera le récit de quelqu'un ayant vécu les recherches depuis l'intérieur, mais aussi de tous les éléments qui l'ont entouré. Il ne s'agit pas d'un roman ou d'une interprétation et encore moins d'un avis personnel" a affirmé Maître Antonio Paulo Santos en annonçant cette information à la presse.

Truth and lies.

The former investigator in charge of the Madeleine case, Gonçalo Amaral, is going to publish a book in which he promises to reveal the facts and the clues gathered during the investigation. An investigation which he lived from the inside. "The book will be the account of someone having lived the research from the inside, but also of all the details which surrounded it. It is not a novel or an interpretation and even less of a personal opinion," stated Me Antonio Paulo Santos, announcing this information to the press.

Interroger sur le lancement du livre, l'avocat a déclaré "qu'il n'y avait pas encore de date prévue. Mais que ce sera après que le secret de justice soit levé". Il estime que cela pourrait être pour cet été. Le livre, dont le titre sera "Vérité et Mensonges", aura plus de 200 pages et est de la totale responsabilité de Gonçalo Amaral a ajouté l'avocat. La traduction du livre en anglais "est de la responsabilité de la maison d'édition". L'avocat a précisé que son client pourrait demander des "dommages et intérêts" aux médias l'ayant traîné dans la boue en l'offensant avec des termes tels que: "Ivrogne, Gras, Barbare ou bien adepte de la torture"

Questioned about the book's launch, the lawyer stated, "there is, as yet, no date planned. But it will be after the secrecy of justice is lifted." He estimates that it could be this summer. The book, of which the title will be, "Truth and Lies," will have more than 200 pages and is the total responsibility of Gonçalo Amaral, added the lawyer. The translation of the book into English, "is the responsibility of the publishing house." The lawyer stated that his client may seek, "damages and compensation," from the media which dragged him through the mud, insulting him with terms such as: "Drunk, Fat, Barbaric or adept at torture."

Fourniret Trial: Mananya Thumpong (Enfants Kidnappés 28/04/08)

Enfants Kidnappés 28/04/08

This fifth full week of the Fourniret trail starts with the examination of the case of Mananya Thumpong. The attempted abduction of Sandra, aged 14, will also be dealt with this week.

"28 avril 2008

Un mois d'audience, déjà, et quatre semaines et demie d'épreuves insoutenables* Il ne reste plus que deux dossiers à examiner en cour d'assises des Ardennes. La tentative d'enlèvement de Sandra, 14 ans, et l'assassinat de Mananya, 13 ans. Monique Olivier n'accompagnait pas son mari. A mi-parcours de ce procès historique, il convient de saluer la dignité des familles, qui toujours se contiennent en dépit des atrocités qu'elles doivent entendre. Elles continuent de faire bloc sur leurs bancs, où chaque jour s'assoient à leurs côtés des hommes et femmes arborant le badge « Aide aux victimes ». Un mois déjà et peu d'explications, finalement, puisque le principal accusé reste motus et bouche cousue, selon sa formule favorite."

A month of the hearing already and four and a half weeks of unbearable details. There are only two cases left for the Ardnnes Court of Assizes to examine. The attempted abduction of Sandra, aged 14, and the murder of Mananya, aged 13. Monique Olivier did not go along with her husband. Mid-way through this historic trial, we should salute the dignity of the families, which they maintain in spite of the atrocities which they have to hear about. They still sit together on their benches, where each day the men and women wearing the badge, "Victims Support," sit beside them. One month already and in the end, few explanations while the principal accused stays silent with lips sealed, according to his preferred formula.

Appréhenderait-on mieux les faits s'il parlait ? Pas forcément, tant ils demeureront à jamais incompréhensibles. De ce lundi à mercredi, la cour retrace les ultimes étapes, en solitaire, du parcours de Fourniret. Aujourd'hui, Sandra, âgée de 14 ans en 2000, va raconter comment l'Ardennais tenta de l'enlever sur un quai de gare à Gédinne, en Belgique. Ce 12 février, il lui avait proposé 10.000 francs pour qu'elle l'accompagne chez une boulangère en quête de main-d'œuvre. Face au refus de Sandra, il l'avait saisie par un bras, la tirant jusqu'à ce qu'elle parvienne à se sauver.

Would we understand the facts better if he were to speak? Not necessarily, so much of it will for ever be incomprehensible. From Monday to Wednesday, the court retraces the final stages of Fourniret's solo career. Today Sandra, aged 14 in 2000, is going to recount how the Ardennes man tried to abduct at a train station in Gédinne in Belgium. On that day, February 12th, he offered her 10,000 francs to accompany him to a boulangerie, looking for a workman. Faced with Sandra's refusal, he grabbed her by her arm, and pulled her along until she managed to save herself.

Ça été positif Mananya Thumpong, 13 ans, n'est pas parvenue à échapper à son ravisseur le 5 mai 2001. C'était un samedi, elle sortait de la médiathèque de Sedan. Sur son chemin, il y avait le fourgon C25 de Fourniret. La suite est révélée par Monique Olivier : « Quand il est rentré, il m'a dit être allé chasser à Sedan et que ça a été positif. Il a précisé tous les détails.
A son tour l'époux avoue, mais nie le viol. Mananya est morte étranglée. Le 1er mars 2002, alors que la maman conserve un espoir de la revoir vivante, Mananya est découverte en forêt de Nollevaux, non loin de la frontière franco-belge. Kanyarat Thumpong identifie sa fille grâce à sa bague et à sa montre. Elle apprendra que Michel Fourniret a piégé Mananya en l'approchant plusieurs fois et que, ce 5 mai, il lui a proposé de rencontrer son fils Sélim.

It was positive. Mananya Thumpong, aged 13, did not manage to escape from her attacker on May 5th 2001. It was a Saturday, she was leaving the Sedan library. On her route was Fourniret's C25 van. The following was revealed by Monique Olivier: "When he came home, he told me that he had gone hunting in Sedan and that it had been positive. He presented all the details." In his turn, the husband confesses, but denies the rape. Mananya died of strangulation. On March 1st 2002, while her mother retained the hope of seeing her alive, Mananya was found in the Nollevaux forest, not far from the Franco-Belgian border. Kanyarat Thumpong identified her daughter by her ring and her watch. She would learn that Michel Fourniret targeted Mananya, approaching her several times and that, on May 5th, he suggested that she meet his son, Sélim.

Fourniret tel que vous ne l'avez jamais vu*

Des yeux enfoncés, un regard animal, un teint jaunâtre, un physique quelconque et une attitude vaniteuse. Voici Michel Fourniret tel que vous ne l'avez jamais vu, croqué par deux dessinateurs présents au procès d'assises.
Ils n'ont pas la même vision que les juges, les jurés et même les chroniqueurs judiciaires. Eux scrutent le moindre détail physique, les mimiques, les postures, les gestes de l'accusé. Ils voient des choses que les autres ne voient pas. Ainsi, « Michel Fourniret a des yeux très enfoncés dans les orbites, tandis que Monique Olivier, elle, a les yeux très ronds », souligne Fel, alias Roland Fournel, 34 ans. « Lui a le teint jaunâtre, elle, gris. »

Fourniret as you have never seen him. Eyes sunken, an animal expression, jaundiced complexion, an unremarkable physique and an attitude of vanity. Here is Michel Fourniret as you have never seen him, sketched by two artists attending the trial at the assizes. They don't have the same viewpoint as the judges, the jurors and even the court reporters. They scrutinise the smallest physical detail, the facial expressions, the postures, the gestures of the accused. They see things which others don't see. Thus, "Michel Fourniret has eyes, which are sunken in their sockets, while Monique Olivier has has very wide eyes," Fel, alias Roland Fournel, stresses. "He has a jaundiced complexion, her, gray."

L'illustrateur français suit le procès de Charleville-Mézières, armé de feuilles à dessin, de crayons, de plumes, de feutres. Lui et ses confrères - ils sont entre quatre et cinq à chaque séance - se trouvent tout près du box des accusés. « Nous sommes à un mètre cinquante. Par les trous de la vitre pare-balles, je peux même sentir l'odeur de transpiration de Fourniret », constate Matthieu Gauthy, dessinateur belge de 26 ans.

The French illustrator is following the trial at Charleville-Mézières, armed with drawing paper, pencils, pens, markers. He and his colleagues - there are four or five at each sitting - are very close to the dock. "We are about a metre and a half away. Through the holes in the bullet-proof glass, I can even smell Fourniret's sweat." states Matthieu Gauthy, 26 year-old Belgian sketch artist.

Pour Gauthy, c'est sa première cour d'assises. Au tout début du procès, le 27 mars, sa main tremblait. « L'atmosphère était tendue, c'était impressionnant », avoue-t-il. Le jeune Hutois se dit frappé par le regard du tueur en série. « Ses yeux bleu clair sont glacials. Le premier jour, il nous fixait, agacé. On devinait qu'on le gênait. Il a un regard dur, animal, qui trahit sa cruauté et la souffrance qu'il a infligée à ses victimes. Bien sûr, je suis influencé par ce que j'ai entendu sur lui, mais on sent tout de même que ses yeux ont bu la mort.

For Gauthy, it is his first assizes court. At the start of the trial on March 27th, his hand was trembling. "The atmosphere was tense, it was impressive," he says. The young man said he was struck by the serial killer's gaze. "His clear blue eyes are glacial. On the first day, he stared at us, annoyed. It seemed that we were bothering him. He has a hard look, which betrays his cruelty and the suffering he inflicted on his victims. Of course I was influenced because I had heard about him, but all the same, it felt as though his eyes had drank death."

Plus expérimenté, avec 14 procès d'assises à son actif, Fel avoue avoir du mal à le dessiner. « Quand je croque quelqu'un, je m'imprègne d'abord, explique-t-il. Avec Fourniret, c'est très difficile : il est insaisissable. C'est un chasseur. Il ne se laisse pas attraper. Il sait comment se protéger des juges, de tout le monde, même des dessinateurs. »

More experienced with 14 assizes trials to his credit, Fel confesses to feeling sick about drawing him. "When I sketch someone, I get an impression first of all," he explains. "With Foruniret, it is very difficult: he is elusive. He is a hunter. He does not allow himself to be trapped. He knows how to protect himself from the judges, from everybody, even the artists."

Pour Fourniret, le procès lui appartient.

Gauthy et Fel soulignent tous les deux le paradoxe entre le physique de Fourniret et les horreurs qu'il a commises. « Petit de taille, les épaules étroites, il n'est pas du tout imposant, dit le premier. Son physique lui permet de passer inaperçu. Il a même un look plutôt rassurant. » « Il ressemble à un papy, renchérit le second. A première vue, il paraît sympa. » Mais son comportement le trahit. « La plupart du temps, il reste sans bouger, les bras croisés, les yeux fermés, comme s'il se formait un bouclier », constate Gauthy. « Son attitude révèle sa vanité et son arrogance, ajoute Roland Fournel. Il regarde tout le monde de haut, droit dans les yeux, même la maman en colère d'Elisabeth Brichet. Il semble mépriser la terre entière. »

For Fourniret, the trial belongs to him.

Gauthy and Fel both stress the paradox between Fourniret's physique and the horrors he has committed. Short of stature, narrow shoulders, he is not at all imposing, says the former. His physique allows him to pass unnoticed. He even looks rather reassuring. "He looks like a grandpa," adds the latter. "At first sight, he seems nice." But he is betrayed by the way he carries himself. "Most of the time, he sits motionless, arms crossed, eyes closed, as if he is making a shield for himself." states Gauthy. "His attitude reveals his vanity and his arrogance," adds Roland Fournel. "He looks down on everyone, his right in his eyes, even on the angry mother of Elisabeth Brichet. He seems to despise the whole world."

Quand on projette sur grand écran la vidéo et les photos des ossements de la petite Namuroise de 12 ans, découverts au château du Sautou, il regarde encore, « sans baisser la tête, avec un semblant d'intérêt, comme s'il s'agissait d'un documentaire animalier à la télé », raconte Gauthy. Les images morbides ne le dérangent pas, au contraire. En revanche, sa réaction est différente lors de la projection de ses interrogatoires par les inspecteurs de Dinant. Là, il détourne le regard, ferme les yeux. « C'est un technicien. Tout est calculé chez lui, affirme Fel. Pour lui, ce procès lui appartient. Il en est la vedette et veut en profiter, se montrant par moment cabotin, contrairement à Monique Olivier qui, la tête toujours baissée, les épaules rentrées et le regard hébété, joue la victime tout au long des débats. »

When the video and the photos of the remains of the little 12 year-old girl from Namur, which were found at the Chateau du Sautou, are projected onto the large screen, he watches, "without lowering his head, with a semblance of interest, as if it were a wild-life documentary on TV." Gauthy relates. The morbid images do not upset him, on the contrary. However, his reaction is different during the showing of his interrogations by the Dinant inspectors. There, he looks away, closes his eyes. "He is a technician. Everything is calculated with him," states Fel. "For him, the trial belongs to him. He is the star in it and wants to profit from it, showing himself as theatrical, in contrast to Monique Olivier, who, head always lowered, shoulders held back and with a dazed look, plays the victim throughout the proceedings."

Enfants Kidnappés 28/04/08: one year on, everything is normal in Praia da Luz.

Enfants Kidnappés 28/04/08

Nearly one year on since Madeleine McCann disappeared from apartment 5a in Praia da Luz, it seems that the small resort has returned to normal...or maybe not quite! Apartment 5a is unoccupied and, by the sound of it, well locked up, the windows firmly closed from prying eyes. I guess this may be for the purposes of the planned reconstruction of the events of May 3rd, 2007.

"Tout est normal à Praia da Luz Près d'un an après la disparition de Madeleine McCann, règne à Praia da Luz une évidente normalité dans les activités du village. L'attitude de réserve des habitants se mélange avec l'envie d'oublier le cas "Maddie". "Tout est normal, il n'y a pas de différence dans le nombre de touristes par rapport à l'année passée" déclare un employé de l'Ocean Club."

Everything is normal in Praia da Luz. Nearly a year after Madeleine McCann's disappearance, an apparent normality reigns in the activities of the village. The reserved attitude of the residents mixes with the wish to forget the , "Maddie," case. "Everything is normal. There is no difference in the number of tourists compared to last year," stated an Ocean Club employee.

"A 10h30 du matin il fait déjà 25 degrés au soleil. L'appartement du rez-de-chaussée d'où Madeleine a disparu contraste avec les autres. Les fenêtres sont totalement fermées sans laisser y pénétrer la lumière contrairement aux autres appartements du complexe. Cette indication ne trompe pas, personne n'occupe l'appartement 5a. Une des piscines de l'Ocean Club où les McCann et leurs amis avaient l'habitude de se baigner est, aujourd'hui, presque vide. Les estivants de l'Ocean Club se baignent dans une piscine plus en retrait et réservée... Nouvelles directives du club. Les deux court de tennis où le papa de Madeleine, Gerry, avait l'habitude de jouer sont vides également. A la réception du club on peu lire: "Veuillez montrer votre carte de membre". Une indication claire que le club est réservé à ces seules membres et, où les journalistes ne peuvent pas entrer."

At 10.30am it is almost 25 degrees in the sun. The ground-floor apartment from which Madeleine disappeared is different from the others. The windows are are totally shut, not letting in any light, in contrast to the other apartments in the complex. This is not deceptive, for there is no one occupying apartment 5a. One of the Ocean Club's swimming pools where the McCanns and their friends regularly went to bathe is, today, nearly empty. The Ocean Club's holiday-makers are using a more secluded and private swimming pool...The club's new guidelines. The two tennis courts, where Madeleine's father Gerry played regularly, are also empty. At the club's reception, can be read: "Please show your membership card." A clear sign that the club is private, for members only, where journalists cannot enter.

"Samedi 03 mai à 18h30 célébration oecuménique en l'honneur de Madeleine. A quelques mètres de là se trouve la maison "Liliana" de Robert Murat, premier suspect dans l'enquête. Ici aussi, on ne devine aucun mouvement dans la maison. Seul un véhicule gris métallisé garé à l'intérieur permet de dire que la maison est habitée. Près de l'Église Notre Dame de Lumière, fréquentée par les parents McCann après la disparition de Madeleine, on peu lire une invitation à la population: "Rejoignez nous, Samedi 03 mai à 18h30, en une célébration oecuménique pour Madeleine McCann disparue de Praia da Luz il y a exactement un an". Le message est inscrit en portugais et en anglais."

An ecumenical celebration in honour of Madeleine on Saturday May 3rd at 6.30pm. A few metres from there is, "Liliana," the home of Robert Murat, the first suspect in the investigation. Here too, there is no sign of movement in the house. The only sign that the house is inhabited is a silver gray vehicle parked inside. Near the Church of Our Lady of the Light, which the McCann parents visited after Madeleine's disappearance, an invitation to the public can be seen: "Join us on Saturday May 3rd at 6.30pm, for an ecumenical celebration for Madeleine McCann, who disappeared in Praia da Luz exactly a year ago." The message is written in Portuguese and English.

"Le secrétaire de l'office du tourisme nous rappel que le prêtre portugais a décidé de ne plus donner d'interview aux journalistes. Certaines connexions faîtes entre l'église et la disparition de Madeleine lui ont laissé un goût amer dans la bouche. Le secrétaire s'empresse d'ajouter: " Beaucoup de villageois sont encore choqués de la façon dont tout ceci s'est passé néanmoins l'affaire Maddie n'éloignera pas les touristes. Praia da Luz est maintenant connue du monde entier. Je prévois plus de touristes cet été que l'année passée. Une maison en bord de mer coûte maintenant un million d'euros". La plupart des gens ne souhaitent pas commenter l'affaire et tourner la page."

The secretary of the tourism office reminds us that the Portuguese priest has decided not to give any more interviews to journalists. Certain connections which have been made between the church and Madeleine's disappearance have left a bitter taste in his mouth. The secretary hastens to add: "Many villagers are still shocked by the way all this happened. Nevertheless, the Maddie case has not kept the tourists away. Praia da Luz is now known all over the world. I predict more tourists this summer than last year. A house near the sea now costs a million Euros." Most people have no wish to comment on the case and have turned the page.

Enfants Kidnappés: the case of Jonathan Coulom. New web site now online.

I only came across Enfants Kidnappés when I was looking for news of Madeleine McCann's disappearance. For some of us, I guess, one of the effects of the Madeleine case has been to focus our attention on other cases of missing, abducted and murdered children. I know it has done that for me. I look at Karl Zero's web site, Enfants Kidnappés and I realise that I have never heard of most of the children he is talking about. Estelle Mouzin. Who? Rui Pedro? Thanks to Karl Zero, I now know about those children. I now know that Jonathan Coulom was abducted and killed in 2004. If Jonathan's case has been in the UK or any media outside France, I missed it. Karl Zero publishes news about Jonathan's case this week. This is my translation of the Karl Zero report.

"Nouvelles pistes dans l'affaire du meurtre de Jonathan," New leads in the case of Jonathan's murder.

The schoolboy disappeared into thin air from a holiday camp in the middle of the night.

The investigation into the abduction and murder of Jonathan Coulom could gain momentum this week. Last year, IRCGN specialists in criminal analysis, went over the file with a fine-tooth comb. New leads opened up, "Cell 44," was reinforced. Ludovic Romanens met with Jonathan's father. He particularly mentions that he is waiting for an internet site that is about to be put online.

A worrying disappearance.

Jonathan Coulom disappeared on Wednesday April 7th 2004 in Saint-Brévin (Loire Atlantique) he was eleven years old. To his parents, he was a shy, engaging and resourceful child. He was 1.45m tall, with short chestnut-coloured hair, blue eyes, and he wore an earring in his left ear. Originally from Orval, the schoolboy disappeared into thin air in the middle of the night from a holiday camp where he was staying with his class.

His mates in the dormitory did not hear him go out, nor did the two leaders who were sleeping in the same corridor. For the police dogs, the trail was lost at the entrance gate of the, "Hermitage," holiday camp. After going over the area, the investigators obtained some unidentified DNA on his bed. They also made a strange observation: all his things were still in the wardrobe in his room. He had disappeared dressed in his pyjamas, with bare feet. An official enquiry was opened. Two hundred police officers worked day and night, searched uninhabited holiday homes, woods, water-holes. The searches lasted several days in the small seaside town.

A murder committed by a calculating sexual pervert.

In spite of this important work, Jonathan Coulom was found dead a month and a half later, on May 18th 2004, his body tied up, weighted with a cinder block, was fished out of the pond at a manor house in Guérande, which had been converted into living accomodation and business areas. The perpetrator was thought to be a n introverted and calculating paedophile, who would have known the area perfectly. He would have had time to identify places and to choose his sexual object from amongst the children on holiday.

Other avenues being explored.

That thesis was the one favoured for a long time by the 15 investigators of, "Cell 44." Four years after the events, other leads are now being looked at. Saint Nazaire's deputy prosecutor, Jacques Noguellou, points out that the police are working on, "new avenues," relaunching the enquiry with the examination of the 20 volumes of the file. "Uncertainty about the date of death, undoubtedly, led to the enquiry being too narrow," said the magistrate. Jonathan could have been killed soon after his abduction by a murderer acting on impulse.

The internet site and the appeal for witnesses.

An internet site was put online on Tuesday April 22nd 2008. Images of the area, some details of the investigation, photos of Jonathan and an appeal for witnesses are on the site: http://www.dossierjonathan.fr/
There is also information from several anonymous letters, received recently by the investigators. Jonathan Coulom's attacker has not yet been identified.
The internet is being used more and more in cases such as this, but Jonathan's is perhaps a first where the public can contact the investigators directly.

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

*****************Report ends*****************

I don't know what, "Cell 44," is, having made a brief reccie mission this morning to find out, with no success. Similarly, Ludovic Romanens. No idea and no information found that tells me what he has to do with this case. When I make headway with my searching, I will post the details...or perhaps someone reading this knows and will tell me!
Here is that web site again:

http://www.dossierjonathan.fr/