MADELEINE McCann suspects Christian B may be charged by the end of the summer, it is reported.
The 45-year-old rapist was declared “argued” by police in Portugal ahead of the 15th anniversary of the three-year-old’s disappearance in the Algarve.
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An “arguido” – usually translated as “named suspect” or “formal suspect” – is someone who is treated by Portuguese police as more than a witness, but has not been arrested or charged.
Christian B may stand trial in light of “extremely strong” new evidence of the little one’s 2007 disappearance, according to former police chief Jim Gamble.
It is understood that potential witnesses were instructed to testify in a German court as he could be charged within weeks.
A former friend of B’s told the Mirror: “I got a call from the Germans asking questions about an earlier statement I made.
“They said I should be prepared to come to Germany, possibly at the end of the summer.
“They said they hoped to accuse Christian of something, but they didn’t go into further detail.”
It’s unclear, however, whether the charges will be related to Maddie’s disappearance or another alleged crime.
German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters’ police team suspects he kidnapped Madeleine from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007.
And they claim to have evidence that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was murdered shortly afterward.
Sources suggested that forensic work was underway to track down “potentially crucial” evidence from a VW van he was driving at the time.
But the suspect – serving seven years in German prison for violating an OAP in Portugal – denies involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance.
However, he did not provide the police with an alibi, according to officers.
The convicted pedophile told an American documentary he was elsewhere when the Brit was kidnapped.
Wolters told The Sun: “We are not aware of any alibi.”
Frustrated investigators believe the prime suspect is “playing with them.”
After blocking German interrogators, Christian B chose to provide details of his alleged alibi for a US TV documentary.
Prosecutors won’t know until Madeleine McCann: Prime Suspect airs on Tuesday – the 15th anniversary of the three-year-old Brit’s kidnapping.
Her parents are preparing to remember her at a prayer service on Tuesday.
Kate and Gerry must join family, friends and supporters in their home village of Rothley, Leics.