The McCann case: successful interrogations compromised (Updated 6.30pm)

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

01.04.2008

"L’affaire McCann : succès des interrogatoires compromis"

"Secret n’a pas été respecté"

"L’objectif visé par la police portugaise avec l’interrogatoire de plusieurs témoins sur le sol britannique, connus dans l’affaire McCann comme les "tapas 7", serait gravement compromis par la divulgation du contenu des lettres rogatoires et d’une partie de la version anglaise du dossier."

The McCann case: success of the interrogations compromised.

Secrecy was not respected.

The purpose of the interrogations on British soil of several witnesses, known in the McCann case as the, "tapas 7," would be seriously compromised by the divulging of the contents of the rogatory letters and part of the English version of the file.

"L’information est avancée par une source du Leicestershire Constabulary et confirmée par une copie du document à que SOS Madeleine à pu avoir accès. Selon la même source, le contenu des lettres rogatoires et une partie du dossier aurait été copié et envoyé à un ancien officier de la police, actuellement dans le secteur privé, proche d’un témoin et intéressé dans le déroulement des investigations."

The information is put forward by a source at the Leicestershire Constabulary and confirmed by a copy of the document to which SOS Madeleine has been able to have access. According to the same source, the contents of the rogatory letters and part of the file were copied and sent to a former police officer, presently in the private sector, close to one of the witnesses and interested in the progress of the investigations.

"Après quelques mois d’attente, mis à profit par les témoins pour préparer les prochains interrogatoires, la Police Judiciaire est sensé voyager vers le Royaume-Uni pendant le mois d’avril afin de poursuivre son enquête à la disparition de Madeleine McCann."

After a few months of waiting, put to good use by the witnesses to prepare for the next interrogations, the PJ is supposed to travel to the UK during the month of April to continue their enquiry into Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

"Plusieurs témoins, et pas des moindres, ont reçu, de la part d’avocats et d’anciens officiers de la police britannique, des consignes et informations de comment faire face aux questions préparés par l’équipe de Paulo Rebelo."

Several witnesses, and not just a few, have received from their lawyers and former British police officers, instructions and information on how to deal with the questions prepared by Paulo Rebelo's team.

(to be continued)

SOS Madeleine McCann 1/04/08

Update:

(I usually like to present the quoted text as italicised and the translation as normal non-italicised text. Unfortunately, that font function is not responding to requests. So, I have made the original French blue to distinguish the quoted text very quickly and make the English clearly accessible.)

"C’était le cas en novembre de l’année passé quand, après avoir appris que la Police Judiciaire avait l’intention de les interroger à nouveau, les McCann et ses amis se sont réunis avec plusieurs des conseillers du couple.

Hier, une source de la police britannique affirmait à le presse que "les autorités portugaises avaient demandé que le contenu de leur demande et la forme comme elle serait exécuté soient gardés confidentiels afin de ne pas affecter l’enquête en cours".

This was the case in November of last year when, after learning that the PJ intended to interrogate them again, the McCanns and their friends got together with several of the couple's advisors.

Yesterday, a British police source stated to the press that, "the Portuguese authorities had requested that the contents of their request and the way it would be put into operation would be kept confidential in order not to affect the progress of the enquiry.

"Les inspecteurs de la police portugaise voulaient garder confidentiel le contenu de leur dossier afin de tirer profit du facteur surprise dans ses questions mais également de leur choix dans les confrontations entre témoins. Les copies à que nous avons eu accès révèlent notamment que la police à fait appel au témoignage d’autres vacanciers britanniques qui ont pu leur apporter la preuve des contradictions, voire les mensonges, des premières déclarations du groupe "tapas 7".

The Portuguese police inspectors would like to keep the contents of their file secret in order to benefit from the surprise element in their questions, but also their choice in the confrontations between witnesses. The copies to which we have had access reveal notably that the police have called as witnesses other British holiday-makers who have been able to provide with proof of the contradictions, to see the lies, in the first statements of the, "tapas 7," group.

"Ce n’est pas la première fois que le bon déroulement de l’enquête est affecté par l’ingérence de personnes bien placés auprès des autorités britanniques, notamment dans la police, agissant à titre individuel ou à la demande de personnes proches des conseillers qui entourent le couple McCann et ses amis."

This is not the first time that the proper conduct of the enquiry is affected by interference by people well-placed with the British Authorities, notably in the police, acting as an individual or at the request of people close to the advisors who souuround the McCann couple and their friends.

"En janvier, c’est le responsable en communication & marketing du couple McCann qui avait, en personne, reconnu avoir reçu un “briefing” privé de la part d’officiers de la police britannique à propos de l’enquête : “J'ai eu des briefings en privé de la police qui m'ont assuré complètement que les autorités, dans ce pays (Royaume-Uni), traitent ceci comme un cas de l'enlèvement par un inconnu”, avait dit publiquement Clarence Mitchell."

(à suivre)

In January it was the spokesperson for communication and marketing for the McCann couple, in person, who admitted having received a private, "briefing," from British police officers about the enquiry: "I have had private briefings with the police who have completely assured me that the authorities, in this country (UK), are treating this case as an abduction by person uknown," Clarence Mitchell said publicly.

(to be updated)

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.

Portuguese police arrive in the UK

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

I haven't seen any news on TV or on news agencies' web sites yet, but I have heard that the PJ flew into Birmingham airport earlier today.

From Enfants Kidnappés:

"Lettres rogatoires" "Dans la suite des épisodes concernant les lettres rogatoires, on apprend qu'entre un et trois détectives portugais seraient partis pour les R-U. Notons, qu'il serait prévus de multiples interrogatoires qui ne se limiteraient pas qu'aux amis et parents. On parle d'un minimum de 14 personnes qui seront interrogés par la police britannique assisté de leurs homologues portugais."

Rogatory letters

In the follow-up to the episodes concerning the rogatory letters, we have learned that between one and three Portuguese detectives will have left for the UK. We note that multiple interrogations are anticipated, which will not be limited to the friends and parents. There is talk of a minimum of 14 people who will be interrogated by the British police, assisted by their Portuguese counterparts.

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This is very interesting news. Previously, I had read that three people were to be interrogated by the British police; Russell O'Brien, Jane Tanner and David Payne. If this is true, that a minimum of 14 people will be interrogated, then I wonder who the others are. There is much speculation on internet forums this evening; the two nannies who worked in the Ocean Club creche; Jez Wilkins, who was the person on holiday at the same time as the McCanns, who chatted with Gerry outside the apartment on the evening of May 3rd; friends and family of the McCanns who received phone calls following the discovery that Madeleine had disappeared.

Rumour has it that the PJ will be in the UK for three days, departing on the 13th. I wonder if the UK press will follow their progress, or if any news will come from reports in the Portuguese, French and Spanish press? If the news from Enfants Kidnappés and talk on the forums is accurate, the PJ will have a few busy days. Good luck to them! I do hope that their visit will serve to move this investigation forwards.