Overview

• Brückner left Sehnde prison after completing a sentence for a 2005 rape in Portugal, departing in his lawyer’s car as police confirmed his release.
• German authorities imposed post-release controls including an electronic ankle tag, passport cancellation, a fixed residence requirement, and regular check-ins.
• F prosecutors in Braunschweig continue to name him the prime suspect and have said they believe Madeleine is dead, yet they have not filed charges and he denies involvement.
• Police in Germany, Portugal, and the UK say their joint inquiry continues; searches in Portugal were conducted in June and the Metropolitan Police say he refused an interview request.
• His release does not halt the case, and he also faces a separate October 27 court date in Oldenburg over an alleged insult of a prison employee.