Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance, has been released from a German prison after serving time for a separate rape conviction.

The 48-year-old, a convicted sex offender with a history of crimes in Portugal, was fitted with an ankle tag but faces no charges in relation to Madeleine’s case, which remains unsolved.

German prosecutors suspect his involvement, citing phone data placing him near Praia da Luz in 2007, but lack sufficient evidence to charge him, the BBC has reported.

Despite multiple searches, no breakthroughs have been made, while the UK’s Operation Grange investigation continues with ongoing government funding.