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

SOS Madeleine McCann: back to the beginning! 28th April - 4th May 2007

Right! I am going back to the beginning with SOS Maddie blog and translating the entries in chronological order. I'd like to look at the development of the case as seen through the writing of Duarte Levy on this blog.

SOS Madeleine McCann posted 31/05/07

"Madeleine McCann: La chronologie des événements du mois de mai."

28/04 : Gerald, Kate, Madeleine, Sean et Amélie McCann arrivent à l’aéroport de Faro, capitale de la région portugaise d’Algarve, pour joindre Praia da Luz et y passer une semaine de vacances. Pour les portugais il s’agit alors d’une famille britannique de plus parmi les larges milliers de sujets de sa majesté qui viennent en vacances dans la région sud du pays.

Ils sont accompagnés par David et Fiona Payne, Diane Webster (mère de Fiona Payne), Russel O'Brien et Jane Tanner, Mathew et Rachael Oldfield. Le même jour, nanny Charlotte Pennington arrive à Faro, pour travailler à Océan Club.

28/04: Gerald, Kate, Madeleine, Sean and Amelie McCann arrive at the airport in Faro, capital of the Portuguese region of the Algarve, to travel on to Praia da Luz and spend a week's holiday there. For the Portuguese this is only one more British family amongst the many thousands of Her Majesty's subjects who come on holiday to the region in the south of the country.

They are accompanied by David and Fiona Payne, Diane Webster (Fiona Payne's mother), Russell O'Brien and Jane Tanner, Matthew and Rachael Oldfield. On the same day, nanny Charlotte Pennington arrives in Faro, to work at the Ocean Club.

03/05 : Madeleine McCann, trois ans d’âge, disparait de l’appartement 5A du complexe hôtelier The Océan Club, où elle dormait avec son frère et sœur, des jumeaux de deux ans. The Océan Club fait partie du groupe Mark Warner, et est situé dans le village de Praia da Luz (Algarve-Portugal). Pendant ce temps, ses parents, Kate et Gerald (Gerry) McCann sont au Tapas Bar avec ses amis. La Garde National Républicaine (GNR) – l’équivalent de la gendarmerie – est appelé à 22h50 pour une "disparition d’enfant".

La GNR arrive après 10/15 minutes et, vers 23h20, ils appellent la Police Criminelle portugaise, -Police Judiciaire -, quand ils arrivent à la conclusion qu'il s'agissait probablement d'un crime d'enlèvement d'un enfant et pas d'une disparition. Les deux éléments da la patrouille font sortir de l’appartement les amis de McCann, qui y étaient encore.

À l'intérieur de la chambre, les jumeaux continuaient à dormir, sans se déranger par l’agitation, reconnaît David Payne.

Des recherches sont lancées avec le concours de la GNR, fonctionnaires de l'hôtel, touristes et habitants essayent de trouver la fille de trois ans.

La Police Criminelle arrive autour des 23h45/23h50, et l'appartement est isolé. La PJ alerte la police des frontières (SEF), qui contrôle aussi les aéroports, mais aussi la Police Maritime, qu’est en charge des mouvements des bateaux dans les divers ports de l'Algarve. La Police espagnole est également alertée.

03/05: Madeleine McCann, three years of age, disappears from the hotel complex, The Ocean Club, where she had been sleeping with her brother and sister, two year-old twins. The Ocean Club is part of the Mark Warner group and is situated in the village of Praia da Luz (Algarve-Portugal) During this time, her parents Kate and Gerald, (Gerry) were at the tapas bar with their friends. The National Republican Guard (GNR) - equivalent of the French Gendarmarie - is called at 22.50 about the disappearance of a child.

The GNR arrives 10/15 minutes later and at around 23.20 they call the Portuguese Criminal Police - PJ - who arrive at the conclusion that it is probably a crime of abduction of a child and not a disappearance. The two officers of the police unit order the McCanns' friends, who are still there, to leave the apartment.

In the bedroom the twins continued sleeping, undisturbed by the commotion, recalls David Payne.

Searches were initiated, with the group from the GNR, staff of the hotel, tourists and residents trying to find the little girl.

The Criminal Police arrives at around 23.45/23.50 and the apartment is sealed off. The PJ alert the border police (SEF), who also control the airports, but also the Maritime Police, who are responsible for the movement of boats in the Algarve's many ports. The Spanish police are also alerted.

"04/05 : GNR, PSP, PJ, fonctionnaires de l'hôtel, touristes et habitants essayent de trouver la fille de trois ans. Un

hélicoptère aide dans les recherches. La police maritime à commencé, pendant la nuit, à fouiller la cote et à effectuer le contrôle systématique des bateaux.

Les appartements voisins, les jardins et les plages sont fouillés. Les parents disent avoir trouvé les fenêtres de la chambre forcées et la porte ouverte au retour du dîner. Mais le manager de l'Océan Club, John Hill, nie formellement disant qu’il n’y pas le moindre signal que les fenêtres on pu être forcées."

04/05: GNR, PSP, PJ, hotel staff, tourists and residents try to find the three year-old girl. A helicopter helps in the search. During the night the Maritime Police started to trawl the coast and to carry out a systematic monitoring of boats.

The neighbouring apartments, the gardens and the beaches are combed. The parents say that they had found the windows of the bedroom forced and the door open on their return from dinner. But the manager of the Ocean Club, John Hill, officially denies this, saying that there is not the least sign that the windows could have been forced.

"Aux premières heures du matin, des équipes cynophiles GNR sont sur le terrain et trouvent la présence de Maddie à quatre endroits et parcours différents : dans l'appartement, ils signalent un parcours de la chambre de Madeleine vers la chambre des parents ; un parcours qui va de l’appartement des McCann vers un autre appartement ; devant le supermarché Batista et devant la maison de Robert Murat (sans toutefois y rentrer)."

In the early hours of the morning GNR dog teams are on the ground and find Maddie's scent at four different places and routes: in the apartment, they signal a route from Madeleine's bedroom to the parents' bedroom; a route which goes from the McCanns' apartment towards another apartment; to the front of the Batista supermarket and to the front of Robert Murat's house (without returning at all).

"L'ambassadeur du Royaume-Uni à Lisbonne vient leur apporter son soutien. Le journal britannique The Sun offre 15.000 euros en échange d’informations à propos de l’endroit ou se trouverais Madeleine.

Le couple McCann fait une intervention à la presse demandant le retour de Madeleine, avec un appel directe aux éventuels kidnappeurs de leur fille, parlant de leur "angoisse et désespoir".

The UK ambassador in Lisbon comes to lend them his support. The British newspaper, The Sun, offers 15.000 Euros in exchange for information about where Madeleine might be found.

The couple make a statement to the press, asking for Madeleine's return, with a direct appeal to the potential kidnappers of their daughter, speaking of their, "anguish and despair."

"Le même jour, pendant que plusieurs centaines de policiers et civils sont sur le terrain effectuant des recherches, apparaissant les premiers critiques á la police portugaise : Jill Renwick, une amie de Kate McCann, prend contacte avec la chaine de télévision GMTV. Elle affirme que Kate lui a téléphoné, vers 7 heures du matin, désespéré, parce que "tout le monde s'en est allé l’a laissant avec seulement un policier en garde devant l’appartement".

Les experts du Laboratoire Scientifique de la Police Judiciaire commencent leur travail dans l'appartement."

On the same day, during which several hundred police officers and civilians are on the ground searching. the first criticisms of the police appear: Jill Renwick, a friend of Kate McCann's, makes contact with the TV channel GMTV. She claims that Kate telephoned her around 7 in the morning, desperate, because, "everybody has gone leaving only one policeman on duty in front of the apartment."

Experts from the PJ's Scientific Laboratory start their work in the apartment.

Enfants Kidnappés: archived articles from October 2007

This is a long series of articles from October 2007, which appeared on the Enfants Kidnappés site. All are in English.

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

It is very interesting to look back at what was being written at that time in online journals like Enfants Kidnappés.

The above three photos are of Madeleine, taken during the holiday in Praia da Luz. Something quite intrigues me in comparing the three photos. The photo in the middle shows a child who looks proprtionately like a three/four year-old. The child on the right, in the small photo, appears to have longer legs! Do you think that if the child in the middle photo bent over like that, that her legs would look so long and slim or that those trousers would not slip up round her ankles just a little? To me, the child bending over in the small photo looks more like a six/seven year-old. My eyes must be deceiving me!

Robert Murat's computers and other possessions returned. PJ arriving on April 7th and The Sunday Express apologises!

Today, Sunday March 23rd, many of the newspapers and online news media lead with the story that Robert Murat's computers and other possessions, which were seized by the PJ last year, have been returned. Mr Murat is now hoping that his status as arguido, official suspect, in the Madeleine McCann case is about to be lifted.

Something that has drawn my attention in all of the reports is the almost exact wording of what has been published.

The Independent On Sunday

"Portuguese police have returned computers and other possessions they seized from Madeleine McCann "suspect" Robert Murat, he said yesterday.

He described the move as a "very positive sign" – but is still waiting to be officially cleared of involvement in the young girl's disappearance.

Mr Murat, 34, lives just yards from the holiday apartment in the Portuguese seaside resort of Praia da Luz where Madeleine vanished on 3 May last year."

Sky News Sunday March 23rd

"Portuguese police have returned computers and other possessions seized from Madeleine McCann suspect Robert Murat, he has said.

Murat in Portugal

He described the move as a "very positive sign" - but is still waiting to be officially cleared of involvement in the British girl's disappearance.

Mr Murat, 34, lives just yards from the holiday apartment in the Portuguese seaside resort of Praia da Luz, where Madeleine vanished on May 3 last year."

Daily Star On Sunday

"Portuguese police have returned computers and other possessions they seized from Madeleine McCann "suspect" Robert Murat, he hassaid.

He described the move as a "very positive sign" - but is still waiting to be officially cleared of involvement in the young girl's disappearance.

Mr Murat, 34, lives just yards from the holiday apartment in the Portuguese seaside resort of Praia da Luz where Madeleine vanished on May 3 last year."

Apart from the odd word here and there, the reports are identical. So, this reads like a press release to me, but a press release from whom? The Portuguese police? I doubt that very much? Since the news is very much focussed on the interests of Robert Murat, I am making a guess that the press release has come from a representative of Robert Murat, perhaps Max Clifford, who has been reported as acting for Murat.

The timing of the return of these items in interesting in the light of reports that the Portuguese police are due to arrive in the UK on April 7th to observe the questioning of members of the tapas group and others in line with the rogatory letters sent earlier by the PJ. The return of Murat's computers must mean that the PJ no longer consider them as important for evidence purposes.

The date on which the PJ inspectors are due to arrive must now be official as this is being reported by several newspapers, including the Mail On Sunday.

Mail On Sunday

"Portuguese police to quiz Tapas Nine in Britain in final bid to solve Madeleine mystery"

This is the headline from the Mail On Sunday, though we read that actually the questioning will be of the Tapas Seven, since the police have been refused permission to re-question Kate and Gerry by the Public Prosecutor.

"A source close to the case said: "The Policia Judiciaria had prepared various questions it wanted Kate and Gerry to face but they were crossed off the list of priorities on the advice of public prosecutors.

"They felt it was a waste of time because the McCanns would refuse to answer the questions, a right that Portuguese law grants official suspects."

If this is true, what happened to the previous claim by Clarence Mitchell that the McCanns, as well as their friends, were keen for the PJ to arrive and that they would co-operate fully in order to have their arguido status lifted?

The Mail On Sunday lists a few of the inconsistencies which may be of interest to the PJ.

"They are thought to be particularly keen to reinterview David Payne, Jane Tanner and her partner, Russell O'Brien."

"Dr Payne, 41, a cardiovascular researcher from Leicester, was the last person outside the McCann family to see Madeleine at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz on May 3. Gerry asked him to check on his wife and children while he was having a tennis lesson at about 6.30pm.

Dr O'Brien, 36, from Exeter, was away from the group for up to 45 minutes between 9.30pm and 10.15pm tending his own child who was being sick in his apartment.

He told police he had changed her bed linen, but staff at the Ocean Club deny any change of sheets was requested.

Attention has also focused on 36-year-old Miss Tanner's claim that she saw a man carrying a girl from the McCanns' apartment at about 9.15pm - when another witness says he was outside the flat at the same time but did not see her or the mystery man.

The trio have denied reports they intended changing their original police statements. The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell says the friends are keen to help police and want the reinterviews to take place as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, the Sunday Express heads its front page with a reprint of the apology to the McCanns, "Kate and Gerry McCann: Sorry." I haven't read the apology in today's Express, but I am sure it's the one printed earlier in the week in which the Express proclaimed the McCanns completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter's disappearance. Strange that! I thought only a court of law could proclaim someone innocent as a result of a case being heard in court.

The Scotsman today: ""Dani Garavelli: End of the paper trial."

"Since we have no idea which particular articles were the subject of the libel action, the victory doesn't set out the limits of press freedom either. The Express's apology – "we accept Kate and Gerry are completely innocent" – is being read by some as an acceptance that any scrutiny of the couple's behaviour was beyond the pale, but that is clearly not so.

It was perfectly acceptable to question the wisdom of leaving three toddlers alone in a holiday apartment or to try to assess the strength of the evidence the Portuguese were acting on when they made Kate and Gerry arguidos. So at what precise point did the Express cross the line? Was it when it carried conflicting reports of the DNA evidence found in the McCanns' hire car, or when it drew an inference from the fact Maddie's "cuddle cat" had been washed? Because these issues were never aired in open court, we will never know."

The Portuguese police are hoping that the questioning of the Tapas Seven and others will help to shed light on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and, I am sure, bring this case to a conclusion. In my opinion, this case can only be satisfactorily resolved when Madeleine McCann is either found alive or her body is found and she is finally laid to rest.

I wish the Portuguese police good luck in their quest for justice for little Madeleine McCann and commend them in their persistence with this case.

SOS Madeleine McCann: Malinka's burnt out car.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

"Voiture de Malinka incendié"

"Sergey Malinka, l’informaticien russe que la Police Judiciaire avait entendu comme témoin dans les jours qui ont suivi la disparition de Madeleine McCann, à vu sa voiture incendié et le mot "fala" - parle, en portugais – écrit en rouge à coté de son Audi A4.

Ami de Robert Murat, le russe voit l’incident comme un acte d’intimidation même s’il affirme ne pas savoir ce qu’ont voudrais qu’il dise."

Sergey Malinka, the Russian computer expert whom the PJ heard as a witness in the days following Madeleine McCann's disappearance, saw his car burned out and the word, "fala," - talk -, in Portuguese - written in red by the side of his Audi A4.

Friend of Robert Murat, the Russian views the incident as an act of intimidation even if he claims that he does not know what someone would like him to say.

"Qui a écrit cela ? Qu’est-ce qu'exactement veulent-ils que je dise?"

"Malinka a été entendu une nouvelle fois par la Police Judiciaire à qui il a dit ne pas connaître la raison qui aurait poussé quelqu’un à vouloir l’intimider dans l’enquête Madeleine, ou le jeune russe est cité comme témoin.

L’incendie de l’Audi A4 de Sergey Malinka aurait commencé vers quatre heures de matin, à quelques dizaines de mètres de la maison du russe, et serait d’origine criminelle, comme indiquent les premiers éléments du dossier d’enquête de la PJ."

"Who wrote that? What exactly do they want me to say?"

Malinka was heard again by the PJ to whom he said that he did not know the reason that could have pushed someone to want to intimidate him in the Madeleine enquiry, in which the Russian is cited as a witness.

The burning of Sergey Malinka's Audi A4 started around four in the morning, a few dozen metres from the Russian's house, and would be criminal in origin, as indicated by the first details of the PJ's enquiry file.

"Des méthodes criminelles"

"L’incendie de la voiture de Sergey Malinka et les mouchards GPS sous les voitures de Robert Murat et Michaela Walczuch sont pris très au sérieux par la Police Judiciaire qu’y voit des méthodes criminelles et à ouvert deux enquêtes parallèles au dossier Madeleine McCann.

Ce n’est pas la premiére fois que les inspecteurs ont connaissance de l’existence de pressions, intimidations et menaces à l’encontre de plusieurs témoins."

Criminal methods.

The burning of Sergey Malinka's car and the GPS tracking devices under Robert Murat's and Michaela Walczuch's cars are being taken very seriously by the PJ, who see criminal methods there and have opened two parallel investigations on the Madeleine McCann file.

This is not the first time that the inspectors have known the existence of pressure, intimidation and threats against several witnesses.

"Les journalistes ne sont pas exception et divers professionnels ont été la cible de méthodes similaires.

Selon une source de la police, les mouchards GPS placés sous les voitures de Robert Murat et de Michaela Walczuch, n’ont pas été placées par aucun service ou departement des autorités portugaises et les appareils ont été achetés au départ de l’Espagne."

Journalists are not an exception and various professionals have have been the target of similar methods.

According to a police source, the GPS tracking devices placed under the cars of Robert Murat and Michaela Walczuch were not placed by any service or department of the Portuguese authorities and the equipment was bought somewhere in Spain.

Enfants Kidnappés: Malinka's burnt out car.

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

21 mars 2008

"La voiture de Malinka incendiée" A côté des ruines encore fumante de la voiture de Sergey malinka, sur le trottoir, en lettres rouges bien visible, écrit le mot "FALA" (PARLE). C'est dans la nuit de jeudi, vers 04h00 du matin, que l'Audi A4 de l'informaticien russe a été entièrement détruite par les flammes. "Je ne comprends pas le sens du message. Je ne veux plus être ennuyé avec l'affaire Madeleine. Je veux qu'on me laisse en paix. Je vais à l'église, je paye mes impôts, je n'ai pas mérité cela" à déclaré Malinka. Il a également ajouté: "Je suis convaincu qu'il s'agit d'un avertissement qui a à voir avec l'affaire Maddie. Mais je n'ai rien à dire et je ne sais rien"

Malinka's burnt out car.

On the pavement, beside the still smoking ruins of Sergey Malinka's car, in clearly visible red letters, is written the word, "FALA," (SPEAK) It was towards 4am in the morning, during Thursday night, that the Russian computer expert's Audi A4 was totally destroyed by flames. "I don't understand the meaning of the message. I don't want to be bothered any more with the Madeleine case. I want to be left in peace. I go to church, I pay my taxes, I have not deserved this." stated Malinka. He also added: "I am convinced that this is a warning which has to do with the Maddie case. But I have nothing to say and I know nothing."

"Malinka, qui dormait à environs 50 mètres du lieu de l'incendie, dans son appartement qu'il partage avec ses parents, n'a rien entendu et a seulement été au courant au moment de son réveil. Un autre véhicule, une Opel Zafira, aurait également été atteinte par les flammes. "J'étais en train de dormir quand j'ai entendu une explosion. J'étais paniqué et je suis allé voir ce qui se passait. La voiture brûlait et les pompiers ainsi que la GNR étaient déjà sur place. Ensuite, la PJ est arrivée et avec l'aide des pompiers ont effacé le mot "FALA" du trottoir" a déclaré un riverain. Une autre voisine, Jennifer a déclaré: "Je ne savais pas ce qui se passait. J'ai pensé à un groupe de délinquants en train de casser toutes les voitures de la rue mais les autorités m'ont dit d'être tranquille, qu'il s'agissait d'un attentat dirigé contre une seule personne mais ils ne m'ont pas dit qui."

Malinka, who was sleeping about 50 metres from the scene of the fire, in his apartment which he shares with his parents, heard nothing and was only aware of it when he woke up. Another vehicle, an Opel Fafira, was also affected by the flames. "I was asleep when I heard an explosion. I was panicked and I went to see what was happening. The car was burning and the firemen as well as the GNR were already there. Then the PJ arrived and with the help of the firemen they removed the word, "FALA," from the pavement." stated one riverside resident. Another neighbour, Jennifer, stated: "I did not know what was happening. I thought of a group of young offenders in the process of damaging the cars in the street, but the authorities told me to calm down, that it was an attack directed at one person, but they did not tell me who."

"Pas de liens avec l'affaire McCann ?! La PJ a déjà admise qu'il s'agit bien d'un incendie d'origine criminelle. Cette dernière a précisé que, face à l'hypothèse que Sergey Malinka soit soupçonné dans l'affaire Maddie, le russe a été entendu seulement comme victime dans une nouvelle affaire, celle de l'incendie de sa voiture. La même source, selon la presse portugaise, a souligné qu'initialement, Malinka avait été entendu comme témoin dans l'affaire McCann parce qu'il avait créé le site Romingen (La société de Murat et de Michaela Walczuch). Notons, toutefois, qu'en l'espace d'un an, c'est le deuxième véhicule de Sergey Malinka qui brûle dans les environs de son domicile à Praia de Luz."

No links with the McCann case?!

The PJ has already admitted that the fire has a criminal origin. They pointed out that rather than the theory that Malinka was a suspect in the Maddie case, the Russian was understood only as a victim in a new case, that of the torching of his car. The same source, according to the Portuguese press, stressed that initially Malinka was heard as a witness in the McCann case because he built the web site Romigen. (Murat and Michaela Walczuch's company) We note, however, that in the space of a year, this is Sergey Malinka's second vehicle which has burnt in the vicinity of his home in Praia da Luz.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama

In March 2004, my son asked me an intriguing question. If he gave me a ticket for something I would have to travel to, would I go? My reply was that if he gave me a ticket for something I would be sure it was worth going to. The, "something," remained a secret until Mother's Day, 2004, when I received one of the best gifts ever, a ticket to attend three days of talks by HH The Dalai Lama at the Scottish Exhibition Centre in Glasgow.

For me, to be in the presence of the Dalai Lama was a special privilege. Having braved the weaving traffic on the M8 from my brother's house in Coatbridge to the exhibition centre, I took my place with a few hundred others in the huge hall, amid an air of anticipation and quiet reverence, even before the great man appeared.

When His Holiness entered, he walked across the stage with head bowed slightly, followed by his interpreter, who sat on a cushion on the floor, close to the big chair that the Dalai Lama takes with him on his tours.

The Dalai Lama has the most smiley face I have ever seen. He spoke in his own language, always in a very animated way, which held the rapt attention of an audience, most of whom, I am sure, did not understand one word of what was being said. The Dalai Lama would pause and the interpreter would tell us what had just been said, with a warmth of expression which echoed that of the Dalai Lama himself.

His Holiness has a child-like quality and a sense of joyfulness conveys itself from him, even when he is silent. His sense of humour and his modesty are well-known. Let me give you an example. At the end of each day, the audience was invited to ask questions and one question was, "How do I recognise a good teacher?" The Dalai Lama explained and the interpreter gave the response in English; there are ten qualities of a good teacher and the Dalai Lama had said he was not good with number 10, "A good teacher should always be patient with his students." While the interpreter was speaking, all eyes were on the Dalai Lama, who was seen to be almost falling off his big chair laughing. When the interpreter had finished, he looked to the Dalai Lama with a questioning expression and the Dalai Lama explained his laughter.

The Dalai Lama said, "I did not mean to imply that I was good with the other nine!"

Those words, spoken with child-like mirth, brought quiet laughter from the audience. For myself and everyone else I should think, it was the irony that such a greatly revered teacher should display such self-effacing modesty, which drew the laughter.

The Dalai Lama will return to the UK in May this year and will give talks at several venues. I will go to see him if I can, but if that is not possible, it doesn't matter. I have had the privilege of being in his presence and I shall cherish the experience and thank my son for a wonderful Mother's Day gift!

Action alert for Tibet

I have received an email this morning from Rosa at care2.com, asking for signatures to a petition for support for the people of Tibet in the face of Chinese suppression of protest. I am copying the email here as Rosa's words are much more eloquent than mine could be. Please consider signing the petition. Thank you.


Hi Anna,

I'm sure that like me, you're also outraged by the abuse of power displayed by the Chinese government to suppress the protests in Tibet and nearby provinces. Speak up for those who can't. Sign this petition to urge China to end the crackdown immediately >>

The violence against protesters, monks and civilians in Tibet is quickly escalating as the deadly crackdown continues. This week, overwhelmed by the violence affecting innocent civilians, the Dalai Lama said he would resign as leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile "if things become out of control." We can't remain silent while these abuses are taking place. Take action to stand with the people of Tibet.

The Beijing Summer Olympics are only a few months away, but that hasn't stopped China from cracking down on Tibetan protesters, causing the death of around 100 people, while hundreds continue to be shot at, beaten up and detained by China's security forces.

The protesters' grievances should not be addressed through the use of force, but with an open and peaceful dialogue. Freedom of expression is a basic human right that should be respected and not punished with violence.

Please sign this petition to the Olympic Games Officials and the United Nations to make sure help is on the way for the people of Tibet!

Thank you for standing with innocent Tibetans. Peace, Rosa Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team

The Dalai Lama is due to visit the UK in May this year. So far there has been no word from our Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, that he will meet with the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is the Head of State in exile of the country of Tibet and I consider it to be quite offensive that Tony Blair did not meet with him during the Dalai Lama's previous visit to our shores in 2004. As a gesture of goodwill, I think that Gordon Brown should arrange an official reception for the Dalai Lama. I do wonder if the silence from dear Gordon has something to do with trade with China.

Enfants Kidnappés: Interrogations scheduled for April 7th

Interrogatoires prévus pour le 07 avril

"Alors que la presse ne parle que des excuses du groupe "Express", l'enquête, elle, continue son cours. En effet, les fameuses lettres rogatoires qui ont finalement été acceptées, sont dans leurs phases de mise en place. Divers membres de la police portugaise, en contact avec leurs homologues britanniques, sont en train de peaufiner les derniers détails des interrogatoires prévus pour le 07 avril."

Interrogations scheduled for April 7th.

While the press is only talking about the Express group's apologies, the enquiry follows its course. In fact, the famous rogatory letters, which have been finally accepted, are in the phase of being put into operation. Various members of the Portuguese police, in contact with their British counterparts, are in the process of fine-tuning the last details of the interrogations, scheduled for April 7th.

"En effet, c'est cette date qui semble être celle retenue. En tous cas, c'est cette date qui est annoncée officiellement par la PJ portugaise. La police devrait interroger pas moins de 14 personnes. Il devrait s'agir des derniers interrogatoires. Ils sont considérés comme essentiels par la PJ. Ils devraient éclaircir et apporter des explications sur les diverses contradictions et "non sens" relevés dans les auditions précédentes. La police britannique apporte toute son aide et sa pleine collaboration à la mise en oeuvre des demandes se trouvant dans le courrier en provenance du Portugal."

In fact that is the date that seems to be accepted. In any case, that is the date that is announced officially by the PJ. The police will have to interrogate no fewer than 14 people. They should be the last interrogations. They are considered essential by the PJ. They should clarify and give explanations for the various contradictions and, "no sense," statements in previous hearings. The British police are giving every assistance and cooperation in implementing the requests in the letters from Portugal.

"Car belonging to Madeleine case witness destroyed in blast."

Portugal Resident 20/03/08

By NATASHA SMITH

natasha@the-resident.com

A CAR belonging to Russian computer expert Sergei Malinka, who has been questioned by police as part of the Madeleine McCann investigation, was destroyed in an explosion in the early hours of this morning (Thursday, March 20) in Praia da Luz.

The incident is said to have taken place at around 5am next to his apartment, where the word “fala” (talk) had been written on the pavement next to the car.

Witnesses told The Resident that two cars were involved in the blast and maintain that one belonged to Malinka.

Police first interviewed Malinka on May 16, 2007, around two weeks after Madeleine McCann went missing.

Police searched the home of the IT expert, who designed a website for Robert Murat and was seen talking to Murat several times in the days after Madeleine’s disappearance. He was adamant that he was interviewed as a witness, not a suspect.

He has lived in Praia da Luz for around seven years and has always maintained he had nothing to do with Madeleine’s disappearance.

He claims he only had a professional relationship with official suspect, Robert Murat, and he has never been named as an arguido.

The Judicial Police could not confirm this morning’s blast took place but witnesses in the area have told The Resident that two cars were involved. They have also said that one of the cars belonged to Malinka.

The Resident spoke to Robert Murat, who said that he had not been told about the incident but did confirm that Malinka drove a Silver Audi, similar to the car that was torched.

“I am in England now but I am surprised that no one in Praia da Luz phoned me to tell me about it”, he said.

Rodney Reed: oral arguments started at Court of Criminal Appeals

News 8 Austin 20/03/08

Rodney Reed makes renewed plea for new trial
3/19/2008 6:25 PM
By: Catie Beck

	Reed's lawyers and state prosecutors made their case Wednesday.

While he sat behind bars in East Texas, his lawyers sat before judges in Austin.

Once again they asked for a new trial.

Rodney Reed was hoping for the best case scenario.

"That the judges actually pay attention to what's being argued and accept it for what it is � the truth," Reed said in an interview earlier this week.

Reed's lawyers and State prosecutors made their case in the Court of Criminal Appeals.

"I think it went well," Reed's attorney Morris Overstreet said. "I think the questions they asked were timely and pointed. I think we were prepared for this case."

Reed's lawyers argued that the state withheld evidence in the original trial, even physical evidence, specifically tests done on a beer can found at the crime scene with DNA on it belonging to a police officer. That officer was also a friend and colleague of Stacey Stites' fianc�, Jimmy Fennell Jr.

"You put Mr. Fennell's best friend David Hall at the scene of the crime would a jury question whether Fennell had anything to do with it?" Overstreet asked.

Fennell's recent indictment on rape and kidnapping charges has the court considering his tie to the case. But Stites' family has no doubt that the first trial was fair and that the right man is in prison.

"I absolutely believe that Rodney Reed is the man that did this," Stites' sister, Debra Oliver said.

State prosecutors defended the prior decision as well.

They said the State never withheld evidence and that Reed had a history of violent sex crimes. Though he has never been convicted of one, several allegations have been made.

"Even if he gets free on this one, there are a lot of cases against him, there are a lot of women that haven't gotten justice," Oliver said.

Reed's family has hope for his justice and a fair trial.

"They railroaded my son, and they said what they wanted to say," Reed's mother, Sandra Reed said.

Now all that can be done is to wait, something Reed has learned how to do well.

View Rodney Reed's brief (death penalty case oral argument requested).

View the state's case (respondent's reply brief).

View Fennell's additional motion (motion to supplement habeas record and request for disclosure of exculpatory evidence).