McCann case: the failed reconstruction

In April 2008, Paulo Rebelo gave a detailed response to the McCanns' friends about their arguments and doubts on the subject of the reconstruction of the events of May3rd. He stated that one of the conditions put forward by the group, that of first of all withdrawing Kate and Gerry's arguidos status - was impossible to accomplish, because only the Prosecutor held the legal power to do it, not the PJ.

On the subject of the reconstruction, the main problem for the McCanns' group of friends was clear: if the PJ believed their statements, then the reconstruction wasn't necessary, or the PJ were trying to obtain something strange with this activity.

They wanted to know what the PJ's true intentions were. After several exchanges of emails, going first through Stuart Prior, the Tapas 7 group were not convinced of the usefulness of such a reconstruction.

In the replies that followed, Kate and Gerry's friends placed as a condition, not only the lifting of the McCann couple's arguido status, but also the announcement of a press release by the PJ dispelling the lies published by the Portuguese media, emphasising that there was no suspicion about the seven friends.

As it was impossible to accept or accomplish these conditions, Paulo Rebelo, in an email addressed to Stuart Prior on April 29th, requested that a final decision was taken. Jane and Russel O'Brien were the first to respond, saying yes, but waiting for further advice from their lawyers. Rachel and Matthew sent a similar response, but stressing that they couldn't be in Portugal between May 15th and May 17th.

Diana, Fiona and David Payne also accepted, while waiting for advice from their lawyers. After the PJ's detailed explanations, Jeremy Wilkins was willing to participate, on conditon that the other witnesses were also in Portugal.

The criminal court took the decision to set a new date: 29th and 30th of May 2008. Then Gerald McCann requested a change to this new date, because his lawyer had another meeting planned before the Lisbon court, for May 29th. His request was refused because it was impossible to make a further revision of the date, due to the numbers of people involved. On May 10th, Rachel and Matthew Oldfield sent an email to Stuart Prior, communicating their final decision to him: they would not be in Portugal to participate in the reconstruction. Russel O'Brien, also on May 10th, told the Superintendent that as he had learned that Jeremy Wilkins, the Oldfields and the Payne family had now decided not to go to Portugal, there was now no need for their presence, because the Prosecutor had said that the reconstruction could not take place unless all the witnesses were present.

On May 23rd, all seven of the McCanns' friends sent a formal reply to the Prosecutor's request for a reconstruction, saying that they would not be attending, after advice from their lawyers. The reconstruction was therefroe cancelled by the Judge for the Court of Criminal Investigation, on May 26th 2008.

Paulo Reis and Duarte Levy

http://sosmaddie.blogs.dhnet.be/tag/reconstitution

The McCann Case: Gerry used two credit cards

According to a briefing note from Inspector Gary Watts of the Leicestershire police to Frances Kennah, Madeleine's father used two MasterCard credit cards.

Frances Kennah is head of the British Central Authority, a Home Office department, responsible for cooperation with foreign police forces.

The note, dated May 23rd, confirms the request from the Portuguese authorities, via international rogatory letter, asking for details of the transactions carried out by Gerry McCann using the two MasterCard credit cards.

The PJ also requested telephone records for a period of six months, starting on April 27th 2007, but the Home Office considered the period of time disproportionate and suggested that they could only provide that information for the days before and after Madeleine's disappearance.

The note from Inspector Gary Watts reveals that the report about the credit card transactions was not completed, after a conversation between Superintendent Stuart Prior and the recipient of the information, Frances Kennah.

A previous report about the financial situation of the McCann couple and their friends, produced by the Economic Crimes Unit of Leicestershire police, had not found any record of credit cards or loans in Kate and Gerry McCann's name.

Duarte Levy & Paulo Reis

10/08/08

Selon une note d’information de l’Inspecteur Gary Watts de la Police du Leicestershire envoyé à France Kennah, le père de Madeleine McCann a utilisé deux cartes de crédit MasterCard.

Frances Kennah est le responsable de l'autorité centrale britannique, un département du Home Office (ministère de l’Intérieur), responsable de la coopération avec les forces de police étrangères.

La note, datée du 23 mai 2008, confirme la demande faite par les autorités portugaises, via une lettre rogatoire internationale, sollicitant tous les détails des transactions effectuées avec les deux cartes de crédit MasterCard utilisées par Gerry McCann.

La Police judiciaire (PJ) a demandé également les registres téléphoniques comprenant une période de six mois, commençant le 1er avril 2007, mais le Home Office à jugé que la période de temps était disproportionnée et a suggéré qu’ils pourraient uniquement fournir cette information pour les jours avant et après la disparition de Madeleine.

La note de l’Inspecteur Gary Watts révèle que le rapport concernant les transactions de ces deux cartes de crédit n'a pas été fini, après une conversation entre le Superintendent Stuart Prior et le destinataire de l'information, Frances Kennah.

Un précédent rapport à propos de la situation financière du couple McCann et de leurs amis, produit par l'Unité de Crimes Économiques de la Police du Leicestershire, n’avait trouvé aucun registre de cartes de crédit ou prêts au nom de Kate et de Gerry McCann.

SOS Madeleine McCann

Enfants Kidnappés: Kate McCann's diary

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

1/08/08

Le journal de Kate 01 août 2008

Le journal de Kate.

Depuis quelques jours, la presse portugaise publie des éléments du journal intime de Kate. Ces éléments font parties du dossier. Il est probable que la partie publiée fasse partie des notes personnels d'un ancien inspecteur de la PJ et que le journal publie. Fort du soutien de leur rédacteur en chef, le dit journal n'hésite pas à révéler de nombreux éléments de l'enquête et ce en guise de réponse au menaces dictatoriales de Clarence Mitchell, porte-parole des McCann. Nous avons décidé à l'association de ne pas parler du contenu de ce journal car comme son nom l'indique, il s'agit d'un journal INTIME.

Kate's Dairy

For a few days, the Portuguese press has been publishing details from Kate's personal diary. These details form part of the case file. It is likely that the published part is part of the personal notes of a former PJ inspector, published by the newspaper. Powerfully supported by their editor-in-chief, the said newspaper does not hesitate to reveal numerous elements of the investigation in the guise of responding to dictatorial threats from Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns' spokesperson. We have decided not to talk about the contents of this diary because, as its name suggests, it is a personal diary.

En outre, son contenu ne constitue pas une preuve. Bien au contraire. Ce ne serait pas la première fois qu'un coupable essaye de manipuler la police e indiquant des choses contraire à sa culpabilité dans son journal sachant que tôt ou tard la police le lira. Attention, nous ne disons pas que c'est le cas pour Kate McCann. Nous voulons juste expliquer que ce journal ne constitue en aucun cas un élément de culpabilité ou d'innocence. L'accès au dossier n'étant pas encore autorisé, l'hypothèse qu'il s'agisse des notes personnelles d'un membre de l'enquête nous paraît plus que probable. Si on peut comprendre l'amertume d'avoir été retiré d'une enquête par une hiérarchie ayant courbé l'échine face à la pression politique d'une puissance étrangère, on est en droit de se poser des questions sur l'utilité de divulguer ce genre de détails. D'accord, il ne publie que les parties ayant trait à l'affaire mais malgré tout je ressens un certain malaise dans cette attitude.

In addition, its contents are not evidence. Quite the contrary. This would not be the first time that a guilty person tried to manipulate the police, suggesting things contrary to their guilt, knowing that sooner or later the police would read it. Look, we are not saying that this is the case with Kate McCann. We just want to explain that this dairy does not in any way constitute an element of guilt or innocence. While access to the case file is not yet authorised, the idea that these are the personal notes of a member of the investigation seems more than likely to us. If we can understand the bitterness of having been withdrawn from an investigation by a hierarchy giving way in the face of political pressure from a foreign power, it is right to ask questions about the usefulness of disclosing these details. OK, only the parts concerning the case are published, but in spite of that I am slightly uneasy with this attitude.

Malinka

Sergey Malinka âgé de 23 ans vivait à Praia da Luz et était un ami de Robert Murat nous rappel la presse portugaise. Il fut impliqué dans les remous de l'affaire parce qu'il fut le dernier à avoir contacté Robert Murat après la disparition de Madeleine. C'est lui, également, qui a fait la page Web de la société que Robert Murat dirige avec Michaela Walczuch. Malgré qu'il fût seulement entendu comme témoin, la PJ l'a soupçonné d'être impliqué dans la disparition de Maddie. L'interrogatoire à été dur et on pouvait l'entendre depuis l'extérieur. Les membres de la PJ étaient irrités que leurs questions restaient sans réponses. Son téléphone fut placé sous écoute mais rien n'en n'est ressorti. Le russe fut entendu le 16 mai soit deux jours après que Robert Murat ait été suspecté de l'enlèvement de Madeleine. Le passé de Malinka n'a pas joué en sa faveur. Ce dernier aurait entretenu des relations sexuelles avec des mineurs ce qui fait de lui un prédateur potentiel. La presse portugaise ne précise toutefois pas l'âge des mineurs. S'agissaient-ils de filles ou de garçon ? La réponse est certainement contenue dans le dossier de l'affaire. Une affaire qui sera bientôt rendue public..

Malinka

Sergey Malinka, aged 23, was living in Praia da Luz and was a friend of Robert Murat, the Portuguese press reminds us. He was implicated in the turmoil of the case because he was the last person to have contacted Robert Murat after Madeleine's disappearance. It was also him that built the web page for the company which Robert Murat was running with Michaela Walczuch. In spite of his only having been heard as a witness, the PJ suspected him of having been involved in Maddie's disappearance. The interrogation was hard and could be heard from outside. The members of the PJ were annoyed that their questions remained unanswered. His telephone was placed under surveillance but nothing came of it. The Russian was heard on May 16th, two days after Robert Murat had been suspected of abducting Madeleine. Malinka's past did not play in his favour. The latter had had sexual relations with minors, which made him a potential predator. The Portuguese press did not specify the age of the minors. Was it girls or boys? The answer is certainly contained in the case file, a case which will soon be made public.

L'accès au dossier.

L'affaire sera rendue public dès ce lundi annonce la presse portugaise. Mais on n'imagine pas à quel point. En effet, le dossier sera à disposition des journalistes qui en ont exigés l'accès à partir de lundi matin au tribunal de Portimao et ce de source officielle. Le contenu du dossier va donc s'étaler au grand jour par journaux interposés. Je pense que Clarence Mitchell va avoir beaucoup de procès à préparer. Aura-t-il le temps d'encore chercher Madeleine ?

Access to the case file.

The case will be made public from this Monday, the Portuguese press announces, but I cannot imagine how. Indeed, the file will be available to journalists who have requested access from Monday morning at the court in Portimao and that is official. The contents of the dossier will therefore be open to public scrutiny through the press.*** I think that Clarence Mitchell will have lots of legal actions to prepare. Will he still have the time to look for Madeleine?

Une partie du dossier reste sous le secret de justice.

Les parents ont envoyés au Portugal quelques-uns de leurs avocats britanniques afin de rejoindre le cabinet portugais en charge des intérêts des parents. Ensemble ils vont consulter une partie importante du dossier. Près de 20.000 pages. Ces pages seront copiées puis envoyées au R-U. Après quoi, les parents enverront le dossier à l'agence de détectives qu'ils ont engagé. Cependant, les parents tout comme les journalistes n'auront pas accès à l'entièreté du dossier. Le PGR a décidé de garder sous le couvert du secret de justice une partie du dossier. Le juge responsable de l'affaire a reçu et accepté une demande de maintenir certaines informations sous le secret de justice. Très rapidement de nombreuses personnes se sont imaginés que la PJ était derrière et que cette dernière serait sur quelques pistes intéressantes. C'est, évidemment, possible au vu d'une certaine effervescence qui règne depuis quelques jours au sein de la PJ et des enquêteurs. Mais il existe une autre explication dont nous nous faisions écho le 20 juillet dernier.

Part of the case file remains under the secrecy of justice.

The parents sent a few of their British lawyers to Portugal to join up with the Portuguese office responsible for the parents' interests. Together they will look at a substantial portion of the file, nearly 20,000 pages. These pages will be copied then sent to the UK, after which the parents will send the file to the detective agency which they have hired. However, the parents, like the journalists, will not have access to the whole file. The PGR decided to keep part of the file under the secrecy of justice. The judge in charge of the case received and accepted a request to keep certain information under the secrecy of justice. Very quickly many people imagined that PJ were behind this and that it would be about a few interesting leads. This is obviously possible, in view of a certain excitement prevailing for a few days on the part of the PJ and the investigators, but there is another explanation for which we hark back to July 20th last.

Souvenez-vous:

Un magistrat et deux policiers, parmi lesquels Stuart Prior, officier de liaison avec la PJ, se sont rendu au Tribunal de Portimao afin de demander au Ministère Public de ne pas libérer le secret de justice sur la totalité du dossier "Maddie". Les motivations de cette démarche seraient diverses, selon la presse portugaise. Il y aurait, d'une part, le fait que la police britannique souhaite maintenir secret le contenu de la liste des ressortissants britanniques classés "pédophiles" vivant en Algarve. Ces pédophiles connus ont été clairement identifiés sur une liste que les autorités britanniques ont remise à la PJ et qui fait partie du dossier "Maddie". La levée du secret de justice rendrait le contenu de la liste accessible au publique. L'autre raison, toujours selon la presse portugaise, serait la demande de ne pas levée le secret de justice sur les résultats des tests ADN. Il semblerait que les anglais ne souhaitent pas voir divulguer le rapport préliminaire du labo de Birmingham dans lequel est établi que 15 des 19 marqueurs génétiques coïncident parfaitement avec l'ADN de Madeleine McCann. Ce rapport a été contre dit par la suite. Les vestiges rassemblés derrière le sofa, selon le premier rapport, coïncident, également, avec le profil ADN de Madeleine McCann. C'est ce rapport qui a réconforté la PJ, ainsi que l'officier de liaison britannique, dans leurs soupçons quant au fait que Madeleine soit morte entre 17h30 et 22h00 à l'Ocean Club de Praia da Luz et que le corps fut transporté dans la voiture loué par les parents, 22 jours plus tard.

Remember:

A magistrate and two police officers, amongst them Stuart Prior, liaison officer with the PJ, went to the Portimao court to ask the Public Minister not to open the secrecy of justice on the whole of the, "Maddie," case. There would be various reasons for this approach, according to the Portuguese press. On the one hand, there would be the fact that the British police wish too keep secret the contents of the list of British citizens, classified as paedophiles, living in the Algarve. These known paedophiles were clearly identified on the list that the British authorities handed over to the PJ and that forms part of the, "Maddie," file. The lifting of the secrecy of justice would make the contents of the list accessible to the public. The other reason, still according to the Portuguese press, would be the request not to lift the secrecy of justice on the results of the DNA tests. It would seem that the English do not want to see the disclosure of the preliminary report from the Birmingham lab in which it is established that 15 out of 19 genetic markers are perfectly matched with Madeleine McCann's DNA. It was this report which reassured the PJ, as well as the British police liaison officer, in their suspicions that Madeleine had died between 17.30 and 22.00 at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz and that the body was transported in the car rented by the parents, 22 days later.

Les résultats ADN

Dans un article prochain nous vous parlerons plus en détails des résultats ADN et une généticienne experte en analyse ADN répondra à certaines questions que nos lecteurs se posent... (à suivre...)

The DNA results.

In an article to follow, we will tell you in more detail about the DNA results and a geneticist expert in DNA analysis will answer a few question raised by our readers. (to be continued....)

*** With thanks to Cinnabar at the 3Arguidos for a very elegant translation of that phrase which I found awkward.