THE prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case is considering fleeing Europe and changing his appearance when he is freed from jail, a report claims. Convicted rapist Christian Brueckner, 48, is set to be released from jail in September and could be out on day release within weeks.
![[Photo of Madeleine McCann.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/man-declared-official-suspect-germany-727868647.jpg?strip=all&w=612)
The Met continues to probe Madeleine's disappearance in these countries and so Christian could still be arrested and charged. Earlier this month, however, the case's chief prosecutor admitted it was unlikely Christian would be charged before his expected release in September.
![[Mugshot of Christian Brueckner.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000587398412.jpg?strip=all&w=806)
"If I were him I would leave Europe and look for a state which doesn't extradite to Europe or Great Britain, maybe like Suriname.". Philipp said Christian has also discussed the possibility of changing his image with plastic surgery to avoid him being recognised in public.
![[Christian B., suspect in the Madeleine McCann disappearance, at a court hearing.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2024-christian-b-suspect-disappearance-939229171.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
He said: "I would get a face operation if I were him. I mentioned to him it would be nice for him to change his face or how he looks so that nobody can recognise him anymore. "Right now he doesn't have any money to do that. Right now he's just the guy who tries to get a fake moustache or sunglasses or a hat.".
![[A Portuguese police officer examines a missing person poster for Madeleine McCann.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/portuguese-police-officer-looks-poster-318588011.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Christian is currently banged up at Sehnde Prison, near Hanover, Germany, where he is seeing out a seven year sentence for raping a pensioner in Praia da Luz - the southern coastal area of Portugal where Maddie disappeared in May 2007. German detectives have publicly linked Christian, who lived in an old farmhouse nearby, with the case since 2020.
