Madeleine McCann Case Faces New Limitation That May Prevent Prime Suspect's Conviction

Madeleine McCann's 2007 disappearance from her parents' hotel room in Praia da Luz, Portugal, seemed as though it could officially be solved following the identification of prime suspect Christian Brückner, but a new hurdle may prevent the case from coming to a conclusion.

When speaking to ITV, a British TV channel, Rogerio Alves, the McCann family lawyer, gave an update that may indicate a potential problem could emerge.

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As reported by The Sun, Alves said that a 15-year time limit on prosecutions in Portugal could prove to be a difficult obstacle when it comes to connecting Brückner to any crime pertaining to the whereabouts of Kate and Gerry McCann's daughter.

"We have a 15 years time barrier, even to manslaughter, to homicide, to certain sexual offenses — and even to the most serious kind of kidnapping," he said, adding, "So we are still on time. But time is getting short now."

Brückner's potential involvement in the disappearance of 3-year-old Madeleine has been the focus of a range of reports in recent months after police publicly linked him to the open investigation. Not only have former co-workers stated that he once "freaked out" when Madeleine's name was mentioned, but others expressed a belief that he could have played a role in the disappearance of another child as well. Additionally, a former roommate discussed Brückner's alleged obsession with the dark web.

READ: Madeleine McCann Update: Evidence Regarding Prime Suspect's Behavior Is 'Central Part' Of Ongoing Investigation

As for where the case currently stands, police recently searched new locations that could be connected to Brückner as the effort to find new evidence continues. However, lead prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters has revealed that the investigation cannot continue indefinitely.