In a brazen online move, Christian Brueckner, the convicted rapist and prime suspect in the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has attempted to crowdfund his escape from Germany. The 48-year-old launched a GoFundMe page seeking thousands of euros to legally leave the country, just days after a court ruling lifted a key restriction on his movements.
Legal Loophole Sparks Escape Plan
The controversial fundraiser was launched following a significant court decision in Brueckner's favour. A German court ruled that an order requiring him to find a permanent address within Germany violated existing law. Judges stated that even individuals under supervision "are in principle free" and that German law does not permit limiting his stay to within the country's borders.
This legal development means Brueckner, who has long been the main suspect in the disappearance of three-year-old Maddie from Portugal's Algarve region, could now potentially travel freely across Europe. Authorities have expressed concern that they may not be able to monitor his electronic ankle tag if he leaves Germany.
The Bold Fundraising Campaign
On Saturday, Brueckner launched his campaign under the title "Germany cleans up — Someone moves out!" He set an ambitious target of 26,000 euros (approximately $46,300 AUD) to facilitate his move to a country without an extradition agreement with Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
In his pitch, Brueckner wrote of seeking "a break from the constant wave of suspicion, the prejudgements, and the gruelling witch hunt, and into sunny nowhere." He cynically appealed to donors with the motto: "Donate now — for a justice-free zone with a sea view!"
His detailed breakdown included:
- 10 euros to finance his "first coffee at the airport"
- 50 euros for a one-way ticket to escape the BKA's reach
- 500 euros for accommodation not already known to prosecutors
Rapid Removal and Ongoing Investigation
Brueckner's fundraising efforts were short-lived. GoFundMe removed the page within hours, though not before it had collected about 100 euros (approximately $178 AUD). A spokesperson for the platform confirmed the removal, stating "The fundraiser in question was removed as it does not meet the GoFundMe terms of service. Donors have been refunded."
Despite this legal setback for investigators, German prosecutors maintain that Brueckner remains their prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case. The young British girl disappeared while on holiday with her family in southern Portugal in 2007, and her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, have been searching for her ever since.
Brueckner, who served time for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal, has been wearing an electronic ankle tag since his release from prison earlier this year. He currently receives unemployment benefits while looking for work, but his attempts to find permanent housing have failed repeatedly. Locals fearful of the convicted sex offender have rejected his settlement attempts, and he is now believed to be living in a tent, isolated and unable to find a community willing to accept him.
