When Christian B, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, walked out of Sehnde prison near Hannover on September 17, 2025, the world expected the saga to quiet down. Instead, the 49‑year‑old German national turned the spotlight back on the prosecutors, demanding they stop what he called a "witch‑hunt" and give him back his life.
Background of the McCann Disappearance
On May 3, 2007, three‑year‑old Madeleine McCann vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz. The case quickly became a global headline, spawning endless theories and a relentless media hunt. Over the years, British detectives, Portuguese police, and German authorities have all thrown pieces of the puzzle together, but no one has been charged.
In June 2020, German prosecutors announced that Christian B was under investigation for murder in connection with the case. The accusation hinged on cell‑phone metadata that placed him near Praia da Luz at the critical hour, along with his long‑standing criminal record for sexual offenses against minors.
Christian B’s Release and Immediate Actions
Christian B had been serving a seven‑year term for a 2005 rape of a 72‑year‑old American woman in Portugal – a conviction that stemmed from a 2019 trial in Lisbon. When the sentence ran out, officials escorted him out of Sehnde prison at approximately 9:00 AM, surrounded by a black Audi, his lawyer Friedrich Fulscher, and several police vans.
Freedom came with strings. He was fitted with an electronic ankle tag, ordered to surrender his passport, and required to register his permanent address with probation officers. His other counsel, Philipp Marquort, condemned the conditions as a “pre‑trial detention in disguise.” "We will not accept that," Marquort told reporters.
Within days, Christian B drove more than 100 miles from his undisclosed residence to the office of Hans Christian Wolters, the federal prosecutor leading the German McCann investigation. The suspect hoped a face‑to‑face meeting would force the prosecutor to back off.
Confrontation with Prosecutor Wolters
The attempt ended at the receptionist desk. Security barred a direct entry, and Wolters’ aide told the suspect he would not be granted a private audience. In an exclusive Sky News interview, Christian B voiced his frustration: "I want them to stop this witch‑hunt against me and give me back my life. I'm not feeling free. I have this ankle tag and I'm followed around by police 24/7, so I'm not feeling free."
He added, "The prosecutor refused to meet me, but I told his representative I wanted his help to get my life back. I'm being hounded by the media and it's his fault. I want him to take responsibility." Wolters, however, stuck to his line that he believes there is evidence linking B to the kidnapping and murder, yet he admits it is not yet sufficient for a charge.
Here’s the thing: the lack of a formal indictment means the investigation can keep chipping away, gathering more data, while the suspect lives under near‑constant watch. The prosecutor’s office has not disclosed the exact nature of the evidence – only that it includes mobile‑phone pings and witness statements placing B in the vicinity of Praia da Luz on the night of May 3, 2007.
Legal and Surveillance Conditions
German law permits electronic monitoring for released offenders deemed a flight risk or potential re‑offender. The ankle tag transmits a signal every few seconds, allowing authorities to pinpoint his location within a few meters. Violations can lead to immediate re‑incarceration.
Additionally, the suspect must report weekly to a probation office and cannot leave the country without permission. These measures, according to his lawyers, amount to a “continuous form of detention.” The public prosecutor’s office counters that they are standard protocol for anyone with B’s criminal pedigree, which includes convictions for child sex abuse, theft, drug trafficking, and forgery.
Even though the German and British police continue to coordinate, the Metropolitan Police in London have reportedly asked B for an interview – a request he has ignored. The refusal fuels speculation that he fears self‑incrimination, but without a charge, he remains legally entitled to silence.
Reactions and Implications
The McCann case has always been a lightning rod for public emotion. Families of missing children, legal scholars, and media watchdogs weighed in after the release. "The optics of a suspect walking free while the victim remains missing are terrible," said Dr. Elena Schreiber, a criminology professor at the University of Munich. "It underscores the tension between due process and the victim’s right to a swift resolution."
Meanwhile, activists for survivors of child abuse argue that the surveillance regime is justified, pointing to B’s extensive prior record. "He’s a danger," shouted a spokesperson for the German Association for Child Protection during a press conference in Berlin.
But wait – the European Court of Human Rights has previously cautioned against overly restrictive monitoring that infringes on personal liberty, especially when the suspect has not been convicted of the crime under investigation. The balance will likely be tested in upcoming appellate hearings.
What does this mean for the broader McCann investigation? The answer is simple: the case stays on the radar. German prosecutors said they will keep gathering evidence, and British authorities remain committed to a joint effort. Whether Christian B ever faces a formal charge is still an open question, but the media frenzy shows no signs of abating.
What to Watch Next
Legal analysts predict two possible developments in the next few months. First, a court could rule that the ankle‑tag monitoring is excessive, forcing a reduction in surveillance. Second, new forensic techniques – such as advanced DNA analysis of items recovered from Praia da Luz in 2022 – might either strengthen or weaken the case against B.
Until then, the suspect’s whereabouts remain under a veil of secrecy, and his public statements continue to fuel debate. As one German journalist put it, "The drama is far from over, and the next chapter could arrive any day."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Christian B still considered a suspect if he hasn't been charged?
German prosecutors say they have circumstantial evidence – mainly cell‑phone data and witness statements – that places B near Praia da Luz when Madeleine vanished. Without direct proof, they cannot file formal charges, but the suspicion remains active.
What surveillance conditions are placed on Christian B after his release?
He wears an electronic ankle tag that transmits his location every few seconds, must surrender his passport, register his address with probation officers, and report weekly. Violating any condition could send him back to prison.
How does the German legal system justify the monitoring?
Under German law, individuals with a history of serious offenses can be subject to electronic monitoring if deemed a flight or re‑offense risk. Prosecutors argue B’s extensive criminal record meets that threshold.
What impact does this case have on broader child‑abduction investigations?
The McCann case highlights challenges of cross‑border cooperation, the limits of circumstantial evidence, and the balance between suspect rights and public pressure. It pushes law enforcement to refine data‑analysis tools while respecting legal safeguards.
Will there be any upcoming legal hearings that could change his status?
Legal experts expect a court review of the ankle‑tag restrictions within the next six months. Additionally, any new forensic evidence from Praia da Luz could trigger a reassessment of the case by both German and British authorities.