Christian Brueckner - who this week was formally listed as a named suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance - has broken his silence.
Brueckner, 45, was declared an "arguido" by Portuguese prosecutors earlier this week. "Arguido" is term used by the country's authorities to categorize somebody who is being treated as more than a witness, but is yet to be arrested or charged.
BBC News reports that German authorities informed Brueckner that he is a suspect on Thursday, per the request of Portuguese prosecutors.
Now, in a letter sent from his prison cell and seen exclusively by the Daily Mail, Brueckner has described himself as "the most known bad person in the world".
Credit: James Boardman Archive / AlamyBrueckner is currently being held at Oldenburg jail in Germany, where he is serving a rape sentence.
In his five-page letter, the Daily Mail reports how Brueckner stated: "I'm the most-known bad person in the world and I did nothing - well almost nothing."
He went on to say that he "wasn't attacking anybody" after he turned 18, adding: "I made some silly mistakes when I was younger but who hasn't?"
Referring directly to McCann's disappearance, Brueckner continued: "They had [sic] not even one proof that I was involved with the McCann case. And they still don't have it."
He claims he is only being suspected because of his criminal history.
"They have no hairs or anything from Maddie what means [sic] that nobody can put anything like that into my stuff to find it," he wrote.
Despite the Daily Mail reporting how Brueckner was questioned by German investigators about McCann on Thursday, he writes: "I haven't been questioned on any allegations as required by German law, but it is obvious the German authorities and especially the Department of Justice, are providing the media with information about me that is likely to make me appear contemptible."
Credit: James Boardman Archive / AlamyMadeleine McCann disappeared when she was just three years old while on vacation with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal, back in 2007.
At the time of the child's disappearance, her parents were dining with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant.
She has never been found.
BBC News reports that at the time of McCann's disappearance, Brueckner was living in the area out of a camper van. Experts say a phone attributed to Brueckner placed him within a 30-minute window of the McCann's vacation resort.
Credit: DPA picture alliance archive / AlamyOver the weekend, parents Kate and Gerry McCann released a statement on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page responding to the news that Brueckner had been named as an "arguido".
"We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an 'arguido' in relation to the disappearance of our beloved daughter Madeleine," the couple said. "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."
They continued: "It is important to note the 'arguido' has not yet been charged with any specific crime related to Madeleine’s disappearance."
"Even though the possibility may be slim, we have not given up hope that Madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her," they added.
