Christian Brückner, the German man suspected in Madeleine McCann’s 2007 disappearance, has refused a Metropolitan Police request for an interview ahead of his possible release from prison in Germany.

Brückner, serving a sentence for an unrelated rape, remains a key suspect in UK, German, and Portuguese investigations but denies involvement.

Madeleine vanished at age three from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in a case that continues to draw international attention, The Guardian has reported.

Police say inquiries will continue despite his refusal to cooperate.