MADELEINE MCCANN’S parents have expressed relief at the identification of a prime suspect, raising hope that their daughter is still alive.

Kate and Gerry McCann wrote on Friday’s Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page: “Even though the possibility is remote, we have not given up hope that Madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her.” It comes a day after Portuguese authorities designated Christian B as an official suspect.

Prosecutors in Faro, Algarve, issued a statement announcing the appointment of an “arguido,” which translates as “named suspect” or “formal suspect.”

“We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an ‘arguido’ in connection with the disappearance of our beloved daughter Madeleine,” Kate and Gerry McCann added.

“This reflects progress in the investigation, being conducted by the Portuguese, German and British authorities.

“We are kept informed of developments by the Metropolitan police.

“It is important to note the ‘arguido’ has not yet been charged with any specific crime related to Madeleine’s disappearance.”

B was identified as a murder suspect in June 2020 by German prosecutors but has remained unchanged since then.

The move by Portuguese authorities could result in the transfer of B, who is currently imprisoned in Germany, to the Algarve for formal questioning.

According to Bild, his lawyer, Friedrich Fuelscher, stated that the Portuguese decision appeared to be a “procedural trick.”

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