The prime suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance has appeared in a German court over unrelated sexual offence charges.
Christian B – whose last name is withheld due to privacy laws – is standing trial over two counts of rape and three counts of sexual abuse.
It’s alleged the offences took place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.
The defendant was handcuffed as he entered the courtroom and there was a delay to the session as there was a long queue to get in.
A pensioner and a 10-year-old were among Christian B’s alleged victims in the current case, and none of the charges relate to Madeleine McCann.
The 47-year-old is already in prison after being convicted of raping a 72-year-old in an apartment in Praia da Luz, the same town in Portugal where Madeleine disappeared.
Christian B has not yet been charged in the McCann case but has been under investigation on suspicion of her murder.
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Madeleine was three years old when she went missing while on holiday in Praia da Luz on 3 May 2007.
Shortly after proceedings began, Christian B’s lawyer raised an objection to one of the two lay judges.
They claimed her posts on X had included calls for the death of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro – with one post allegedly saying: “Kill the bastard.”
Christian B’s legal team said it meant her judgement was impaired and she would be unable to abide by the rule of law and human rights.
The request was granted and the court was adjourned until 23 February.
