The main suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance has appeared in a German court, where he is accused of unrelated sex crimes.
Christian B, whose last name is withheld due to privacy laws, is being tried on two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The prosecution says the crimes occurred in… Portugal Between 2000 and 2017.
The defendant was handcuffed when he entered the courtroom and was wearing a light blue jacket with dark pants.
The start was delayed because there was a long queue to reach the courtroom in Braunschweig, northern Germany.
Christian B appears in court. Photo: Reuters
A pensioner and a 10-year-old child were among Christian B's alleged victims in the current case, and none of the charges relate to Madeleine McCann.
The 47-year-old is already in prison after being found guilty of raping a 72-year-old woman in an apartment in Praia da Luz, the same city in Portugal where Madeleine disappeared.
Madeleine McCann
Christian B has not yet been charged in McCann's case, but she is under investigation on suspicion of murder.
Shortly after the proceedings began, Christian B's lawyers announced that they had an objection to one of the two lay judges.
They claimed Judge's posts on X included calls for the death of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, with one post allegedly saying: “Kill the bastard.”
Christian B
Christian B's legal team said this meant her judgment had been weakened and she would not be able to adhere to the rule of law and human rights.
The application was granted and the court was adjourned until February 23.
Madeleine was three years old when she disappeared while on holiday in Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007.
