German law enforcement authorities have warned that the 'dangerous' chief suspect in the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann will soon leave prison and could flee the country.
Prosecutors believe Christian Brueckner, 48, killed the three-year-old girl in a Portuguese resort in a missing persons case that has captivated the world and remains unsolved.
But lacking sufficient evidence to lay charges, they are helpless as Brueckner - who has a history of violent sex crimes - is due to be released from a German prison by September 17.
Brueckner has denied any involvement in the Maddie case. His defence lawyer this week did not reply when contacted by AFP.
A psychiatric expert who assessed him recently concluded that 'further sexual offences are to be expected'.
