Overview

• Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, appeared in court for the start of his trial on unrelated sexual offense charges.
• The trial in Brunswick, Germany, includes charges of aggravated rape and sexual abuse of children, with incidents dating from 2000 to 2017.
• Brueckner is already serving a prison sentence in Germany for a rape committed in Portugal in 2005.
• The trial faced an initial delay due to a request to replace a judge over alleged biased social media posts.
• Brueckner has denied involvement in Madeleine McCann's disappearance and has not been charged in the case.