Justice works in Silence - Goncalo Amaral Dec 8th 2011

http://www.algarve123.com/en/Articles/2-1403/“Justice_works_in_Silence”


His life has been ripped apart since he led the police investigation into the Millennium’s greatest mystery, and came into legal confrontation with Kate and Gerry McCann. Gonçalo Amaral has lost his family, his business, his assets and the income from his controversial book that states all the reasons why he believes three-year-old Madeleine McCann died in apartment 5A in Praia da Luz back in May of 2007. Now, four-and-a-half years down the line, he faces another hurdle: a trial for defamation of the McCanns – due to start in Lisbon in February – in which the couple are claiming 1.2 million euros in damages. Does he think he can win? “Of course”, he says. This is the man whose maxim is “justice works in silence”. He still believes the case of the world’s most famous missing person will be solved. And he told Algarve123 what he thinks is needed to get there…
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You wouldn’t miss him in a crowd. Gonçalo Amaral, 52, is strikingly tall with a penchant for hats. He was wearing a long black coat, a black fedora and a bright red scarf when we met him on the terrace of Casa Inglesa in Portimão. He looked much more like an intellectual than a former police officer, but these days his life is spent largely writing - an activity he’s come to love as much as the police work that used to fill his days.

Our first question: “How’s life?” elicited the reply “Bad!” so any further niceties went by the board.

What Amaral has always maintained is that the McCanns’ zeal for litigation “will not bring their daughter back”. He claims various legal suits against him, and a number of other Portuguese public figures who have verbalised “anti-McCann-story” sentiments, are totally out of keeping with the Catholic faith so fervently embraced by Madeleine’s mother Kate.

“Is it Catholic to hold sentiments of vengeance? To seek to destroy a family as mine has been destroyed?” he asks.

“This litigation will carry a heavy price – but I have faith that the mystery will be resolved. “Even if I “disappear” in the process - as Kate McCann has written that she wishes I would in her book - I have a daughter and lots of friends who will make sure justice is done”.

It may sound theatrical - but Amaral is not about theatre. He is about truth – hard facts, solid investigative work.

“The case has to be re-opened, and I have faith that it will be,” he said. “It will either be when this current “procurador” leaves, or when the current chief of police leaves. It’s not something I am pushing for - even if I could - it’s just something I feel certain will happen. And when it does, the first, most essential thing to be done will be a reconstruction of that very first night – the night Madeleine disappeared. Because that’s what happened: she literally disappeared! The reconstruction will have to involve all the parties: the McCanns and their friends. You see, there are so many inconsistencies in these people’s statements that a reconstruction will very quickly highlight where they have not told the truth”.

An example of the power of reconstructions came only weeks ago in Spain where a father claimed his two children were abducted from a park. A police reconstruction quickly proved that the father had never taken his children to the park: witnesses who had seen him arrive in his car but hadn’t noticed the children in the back seat, were surprised to discover that in the reconstruction the child-sized dummies in the back were clearly visible. The children’s father is now in jail – although the children are still missing.

Amaral explained that when Madeleine disappeared police didn’t organise a reconstruction in Praia da Luz “because there were so many journalists on the ground” – and once the heat had died down, “the McCanns refused. They said any reconstruction should be made by actors – but the whole reason for reconstructions is to use the people involved, and see where their stories don’t add up!”

Going back to that first night is logical: the initial 48-hours after any disappearance are crucial. They can literally mean the difference between life and death – but in Madeleine’s case, Amaral is convinced of the latter. The theory that has led to his prosecution by the McCanns for defamation is clearly set out in his book “A Verdade de Mentira” (The Truth of the Lie) – banned from sale in 2009, and then “released” by the Appeals Court a year later. We say “released” because the books were actually never returned to publishers Guerra & Paz, and thus they and Amaral have had nothing to sell…

“It’s another part of the whole plot to assassinate my civil position,” Amaral says matter-of-factly. “I’ve been left with no chances; no way of paying my debts; liens on my property. I’ve had to move away from my family in order to protect them. My marriage, well, it’s not so good. Not good at all, really. My life seems to be all about divorce…”

So how does he find the strength to move forwards?

“Well, I put the McCanns in a metaphorical box and I am not really thinking too much about the trial in February. I think I will win, and then they will appeal – but I have to have a path. I want to open another consultancy. I had one when I left the police force, but that was destroyed when the McCanns went after me over “A Verdade de Mentira”.

So that’s one thing - and the other is writing. I have recently brought out a new book: “Vidas sem Defesa” about missing children cases in Portugal, and I have another one almost ready (I am not going to tell you what it is about!). After that, I would like to take police “mysteries” and study them and write stories, not novels; stories based on facts to show what I believe really happened. There’s a real lack of books of this type.”

So he’s not angry over the agonies and frustrations he’s endured from what came from essentially doing his job?

“I have my anger well-guarded. No feelings for revenge. Like I say, they will pay for what they have done to me and my family – but through the courts. Even after everything that has happened, I still have faith in the Portuguese justice system”.

And does he have any clues as to what catapulted the Madeleine case into the stratosphere of media attention? Why did the McCanns receive so much help from the British authorities right from the very beginning? And why were they and the so-called Tapas 7 never taken to task for child neglect – considering that they all left their children alone at night during the ill-fated holiday?

“Ah, now there we’re getting into politics – and quite honestly, those are questions for the British public to ask. I don’t have to have theories about them. My job was to find Madeleine”.

A job handed to him nearly five years ago – and one that he will never forget

Amaral paid a high price for his dedication to Madeleine but he is still fighting. Very courageous.

According to this extract: "The case has to be re-opened, and I have faith that it will be,” he said. “It will either be when this current “procurador” leaves, or when the current chief of police leaves", the procurador and the current chief of police are against the re-opening and probably don't take in consideration the requests of reopening they received from various people.
The question now is : when will they leave? Election? Retirement?

A few days ago I decided to create a video of support for Goncalo Amaral (similar the Christmas Message last year http://forum2.aimoo.com/MadeleineMcCann/Goncalo-Amaral/A-Christmas-Message-To-Gon-alo-Sofia-1-917032.html )

Basically a video for Goncalo Amaral with messages of support from anyone who wishes to add one.

I have put the details on my Facebook page and you can post message there or send an Email hideho1@hotmail.com as I have no space left on my PM's

https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002389988016

I'm so sorry to read that Amaral and his wife are getting a divorce. The McCanns ruined not only sr Amaral but his whole family. The only thing he wanted was find Maddie, and he lost everything in doing that. I wish we could do something for him, but I do realise that it will be up to the court. Even if he wins (which I think he will), what has been done to him can't be undone, never. And only the McCanns are to blame. I feel so outraged, and the things I want to say about the McCanns..... well, I better not put it here on the forum.

Christine wrote:I'm so sorry to read that Amaral and his wife are getting a divorce. The McCanns ruined not only sr Amaral but his whole family. The only thing he wanted was find Maddie, and he lost everything in doing that. I wish we could do something for him, but I do realise that it will be up to the court. Even if he wins (which I think he will), what has been done to him can't be undone, never. And only the McCanns are to blame. I feel so outraged, and the things I want to say about the McCanns..... well, I better not put it here on the forum.

Great post Christine. I'm sure that GA's obsession with finding the daughter that the McScams so carelessly "mislaid" has lead to unbearable sadness in his life. I'm sure they've read this latest piece from him and it will not bother them one bit. They, being the devout Catholics they claim to be, seem to be more obsessed with suing than searching. Unfrigginbelievable.

I am very sorry to hear that the McCann's litigation has destroyed Amaral's family. He is correct to bring up the hypocrisy of the McCann's in their litigation. How can they claim to be devout Catholics when they seek revenge on the only man who tried to find the truth of what happened to their daughter? Yet they claim to be such good Christians that they have forgiven the abductor(s) for having taken Madeleine from them in the first place.

I too believe that Amaral will win his case against the McCanns. I remember being stunned when he lost the first round in the courts, as I had always felt that the McCanns had no case against him. Thankfully the appeals court agreed with Amaral.

Christine wrote:I'm so sorry to read that Amaral and his wife are getting a divorce. The McCanns ruined not only sr Amaral but his whole family. The only thing he wanted was find Maddie, and he lost everything in doing that. I wish we could do something for him, but I do realise that it will be up to the court. Even if he wins (which I think he will), what has been done to him can't be undone, never. And only the McCanns are to blame. I feel so outraged, and the things I want to say about the McCanns..... well, I better not put it here on the forum.

I am sorry if this case has led to Gonçalo and his wife separating. What that tells me, though, is that Gonçalo and his wife are honest people, not staying together for the sake of the world's media or because they might have a big secret between them that makes sure they don't part. God bless them both.

I must say I am rather surprised after the way his wife wrote that letter to the McCanns, especially now the Trial is 2 months away. The McCanns will
probably use this as evidence that Amaral is not the Family Man he has portrayed........there must be strong reasons why this should happen NOW when
he needs all the support from his Family until the Trial is over.

Panda wrote:I must say I am rather surprised after the way his wife wrote that letter to the McCanns, especially now the Trial is 2 months away. The McCanns will
probably use this as evidence that Amaral is not the Family Man he has portrayed........there must be strong reasons why this should happen NOW when
he needs all the support from his Family until the Trial is over.

Panda, this can also be viewed as the devastation the McCanns are responsable for. They were a happy family untill all of this started. For sure the McCanns are to blame.

Christine wrote:

Panda wrote:I must say I am rather surprised after the way his wife wrote that letter to the McCanns, especially now the Trial is 2 months away. The McCanns will
probably use this as evidence that Amaral is not the Family Man he has portrayed........there must be strong reasons why this should happen NOW when
he needs all the support from his Family until the Trial is over.

Panda, this can also be viewed as the devastation the McCanns are responsable for. They were a happy family untill all of this started. For sure the McCanns are to blame.

Hi Christine, this is exactly why I am querying why it should happen NOW. Since the injunction was lifted several months ago Amaral and his Family have not
been subjected to Press attention and after all they have been through wouldn"t the Amarals want to put on a united Front until the Trial is over,? It is
a civil Case not a Trial with Jurors .

jinvta wrote:I am very sorry to hear that the McCann's litigation has destroyed Amaral's family. He is correct to bring up the hypocrisy of the McCann's in their litigation. How can they claim to be devout Catholics when they seek revenge on the only man who tried to find the truth of what happened to their daughter? Yet they claim to be such good Christians that they have forgiven the abductor(s) for having taken Madeleine from them in the first place.

I too believe that Amaral will win his case against the McCanns. I remember being stunned when he lost the first round in the courts, as I had always felt that the McCanns had no case against him. Thankfully the appeals court agreed with Amaral.

Like everyone else I am upset that Goncalo Amaral is getting a divorce. I watched the case live on the Sky News website and at the beginning I thought he would win the first round, after the hearing damning evidence against the McCanns. However when I learned that when the Judge, was going to make her final decision, it would be heard behind closed doors, with apart from herself, only Clarence Mitchell and the McCanns lawyer, Isabel Duarte present, I had a gut feeling he wouldn't win.

I honestly believe a corrupt deal was done behind those closed doors. there had to have been, because there was nothing in Dr Amaral's book, that wasn't in the book that was written before his, by another author. Plus the McCanns had read Dr Amaral's book when it first came out onto the book shelves and they said it was a load of rubbish. In my opinion, they only decided to sue, when they thought he had amassed a fortune from the sale of the book.

By the way, I didn't hear anything about Goncalo Amaral's lawyer being present when the Judge made her decision, If I had known he was going to be present, I would have believed Dr Amaral, would have won the case.

I know that the Appeals Court Judge and later the Supreme Court Judge, saw sense and reinstated Dr Amaral's book, but I'm not sure if Dr Amaral can get his hands on any of the money, because I read that all of his assets are still frozen and he is in dire straits. If this is true, n if Dr Amaral wins the next libel case, they probably will still be frozen, because the McCanns are bound to put in an appeal.

If Goncalo Amaral keeps to his word and countersues the McCanns, I wonder if they too will have their assets frozen, if he wins his case? Somehow I don't think so, but if they do, they have an asset the courts can't freeze and that is the fund to find Madeleine. They have done very nicely out of this fund, during the past 4½yrs, thanks to the gullible working class donors, who seem to be still donating their money to the fund.

Hi kathybelle,

When the injunction was lifted there was nothing to stop Amaral having his book published nor sell the books which were confiscated .


I know that the Appeals Court Judge and later the Supreme Court
Judge, saw sense and reinstated Dr Amaral's book, but I'm not sure if Dr
Amaral can get his hands on any of the money, because I read that all
of his assets are still frozen and he is in dire straits. If this is
true, n if Dr Amaral wins the next libel case, they probably will still
be frozen, because the McCanns are bound to put in an appeal. "

If the McCanns lose the case, I would be very surprised if the Court allowed the E1.2 million frozen to remain pending an appeal. The money, hopefully earning interest , has been sequestered for almost two years. The McCanns case against Amaral is that his book a) Hindered the search for Madeleine,
b) Made the whole Family ill. I think we are intelligent people here, would any of us acting as Judges agree with the McCanns????

I read this article late last night, and though I'm not an overly emotional person, I have to admit that it made me cry.
When people systematically and deliberately set out to destroy the lives of others, it is shocking.
But not so shocking however, when one recalls that such people's own flesh and blood became a mere throwaway.

Evil truly stalks this world.
It doesn't have horns and a tail as per popular imagery.
It disguises itself in smart clothes, speaks weasel words, ingratiates itself with the powerful and influential and takes full advantage of the gullible.

“One who condones evil is just as guilty as the one who perpetrates it.”
Martin Luther King, Jr

The fellow being interviewed in the video says "people may not like Inspector Goncalo Amaral or his work methodology ......." which surprised me. How can any person not like GA? What were his reasons for saying this - I thought the majority of Portuguese people loved this man? His manner is quiet and unassuming which the British people tend to admire, but perhaps the Portuguese don`t - anybody know?

I, too, am sad to hear Goncalo and his wife have split up.

Poor man has obviously had to deal with corruption in the Portuguese government/judiciary as well as the McCann`s efforts to destroy him. Most people would have cracked up years ago. He`s a real hero.

On the subject of 'Justice Works In Silence,' this is an article from Enfants Kidnappés blog, 4th August 2008. That blog no longer exists, which is a pity because there was a wealth on information on the Maddie case and on those of many other missing children. This is my translation of the article.

"Madeleine McCann: the investigation goes on."

The investigation goes on.

The PJ had announced during the archiving of the case file: The investigation is neither closed nor abandoned and fortunately the investigation is not over with because alive or dead, Madeleine has not been found. The PJ had stated that they were continuing the investigation away from the media buzz, in calm and serenity. Today, while the file called the, "Maddie case," is being made public and all the journalists have reserved access, it is clearly established that part of the file will remain stamped secrecy of justice. There would be several parts involved. It would be the British authorities who would have requested that specific documents were not disclosed to the public. Another part would have been at the request of the PJ for documents judged to be extremely important. We can deduce here that the PJ are continuing their investigation and this would explain, as I have already stressed, a certain excitement on the part of the PJ. A third part remains under the secrecy of justice, this being the result of a private request. We will come back to that later.

A calculated strategy?

Is the fact of having made the case file public without drawing conclusions concerning the suspects while carrying on with the investigation, an intentional strategy? It can obviously be thought, yes. The PJ making all the elements or nearly all, public, but without accusing anyone, occupies everyone, the parents' lawyers, the parents themselves, the press, the whole of the media etc. While everyone is focussed on the report then on the case file, while everyone is watching the contents of the DVDs (the case file is on DVD) as for the PJ, they can get on with their investigation in peace.

Interference with the investigation?

SOS Maddie reveals that during O'Brien's interview as a witness, he would first have been able to read the statements of his partner, Jane Tanner, before responding to the questions of the police officer in charge. This is obviously scandelous! It is totally unacceptable that a police officer, who moreover is not a beginner, since he has 25 years in the job, lets a witness read the statements of one or several other witnesses. It is a blunder if not a desire to direct the hearing. It is a professonal mistake! The hearing of every witness is placed under professioanl confidentiality even if the statement is that of the spouse of the witness in question. O'Brien, in a statement, admits gaining knowledge of his wife's hearing to, "refresh his memory." As for Jane Tanner, she was interviewed but her hearing was interrupted by the unexpected setting off of the fire alarm. During the 23 minutes which followed, while the police station was evacuated according to clear procedure, Jane was able to have a discussion with the lawyer for one of the suspects and with one of the suspects in the case in question, in person. All this at the police station. Even if it is not a witness for the prosecution, we may ask questions about the ethical aspects of the procedure. We note that, in spite of everything, Jane had always had contact with certain suspects at the time and that they were able to freely discuss the case well before being interviewed.

Brian Kennedy, the millionaire who finances the parents' team of lawyers and the employment of Clarence Mitchell, and others, visited several witnesses involved in the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance. We are entitled to ask why an individual, millionaire he may be, is allowed to interfere in a police investigation? Especially the witnesses least favourable to the McCanns would have been visited. The question that comes immediately to mind is: why? To what end? Certainly Brian Kenedy is not implicated in the ongoing investigation in Portugal. He is not even a witness. The British authorities, at least as an ethical issue, but above all as an issue of of objectivity, should have questioned Brian Kennedy about his motives for interfering in an investigation concerning a little four year-old girl? Until now, the British authorities have been silent on this subject. Well, the Portuguese authorities asked their British counterparts for details but there again with no response from the UK.

The McCanns tampered with evidence?

In today's edition, Correio da Manha states that the PJ have no doubts about the fact that Madeleine's parents changed the position of furniture and various objects in the apartment from which Madeleine went missing. If this is true, and we must see what CdM is basing this on, there is here tampering with areas of a crime scene in order to divert suspicion and to wipe out the evidence. We note that the PJ have always considered strange the fact that Madeleine's bed had not been disturbed as if the little girl had not slept there. It is difficult to believe that a kidnapper had taken care to remake Madeleine's bed perfectly after having abducted her? We are now betting that the case file on DVD (that our association will be able to look at) will explain these worrying details.



http://frommybigdesk.blogspot.com/2008/08/enfants-kidnapps-madeleine-mccann.html

Christine wrote:I'm so sorry to read that Amaral and his wife are getting a divorce. The McCanns ruined not only sr Amaral but his whole family. The only thing he wanted was find Maddie, and he lost everything in doing that. I wish we could do something for him, but I do realise that it will be up to the court. Even if he wins (which I think he will), what has been done to him can't be undone, never. And only the McCanns are to blame. I feel so outraged, and the things I want to say about the McCanns..... well, I better not put it here on the forum.

I thought I read somewhere that he was getting divorced on paper only as he was transfering all his assets into his wifes name so that if the mccann's attempt to bankrupt him through the liable case it won't affect his family.

I remember reading that the only asset Amaral had was the Car , a Company Asset. His Home is heavily Mortgaged and probably in
his wife"s name."

." Gonçalo Amaral has lost his family, his business, his assets and the
income from his controversial book that states all the reasons why he
believes three-year-old Madeleine McCann died in apartment 5A in Praia
da Luz".

It doesn"t say he is divorced and as a high profile Catholic I would think we would have read at the time, maybe Loopdaloop is right.
What Business did he have? Only the Company which he probably uses for Book Sales and since the injunction was lifted he is free to sell
the Book and the one about British Government interference.

Amaral clearly is a man of principle and great dignity, qualities for which he has been pilloried, punished and greatly disadvantaged. I sincerely hope that he will remain staunch and not waver under the renewed spotlight of the forthcoming Libel Case.

He must stay the course .........

And win ........

For Justice, for Madeleine and to relieve his own burden

AnnaEsse

You wrote:

"On the subject of 'Justice Works In Silence,' this is an article from Enfants Kidnappés blog, 4th August 2008. That blog no longer exists, which is a pity because there was a wealth on information on the Maddie case and on those of many other missing children. This is my translation of the article.

"Madeleine McCann: the investigation goes on."

The investigation goes on.

The PJ had announced during the archiving of the case file..........: "

Many thanks for this article I read a little of it and then had to log off and its taken me this long to find it again. It is a very good article. It also gives us hope that the TM are very aware that this other evidence exists and as we know have been trying to get hold of it. It really boosts my flagging confidence that we would ever get justice for Madeleine. But while this evidence exist - there is HOPE!

Angelique wrote:AnnaEsse

You wrote:

"On the subject of 'Justice Works In Silence,' this is an article from Enfants Kidnappés blog, 4th August 2008. That blog no longer exists, which is a pity because there was a wealth on information on the Maddie case and on those of many other missing children. This is my translation of the article.

"Madeleine McCann: the investigation goes on."

The investigation goes on.

The PJ had announced during the archiving of the case file..........: "

Many thanks for this article I read a little of it and then had to log off and its taken me this long to find it again. It is a very good article. It also gives us hope that the TM are very aware that this other evidence exists and as we know have been trying to get hold of it. It really boosts my flagging confidence that we would ever get justice for Madeleine. But while this evidence exist - there is HOPE!

Thank you, Angelique. I hope the PJ did carry on away from the glare of the media spotlight.

When I found that article, I also found something I'd been looking for for ages. That was the bit about Jane Tanner's rogatory interview and what happened when the fire alarm went off. She apparently spoke to a lawyer for one of the suspects and also to one of the suspects. If that is true, which suspect was there and why?

It's sad that Mr Amaral and his wife have split up, but the break-up can't be unusual in his profession. If it's anything like the UK, I'd imagine there's a high percentage of destroyed relationships and families for those involved in what is a high pressure job. I think Mr and Mrs Amaral probably have more strength than to be split apart by the McCanns. What I hope for is that justice will be done, and for the Amarals to be able to live their new lives without having to even think about the McCanns.

For all their arrogance and strutting they might just have overstepped their wish list.... For once they will have to take the stand and be questioned by Amaral's defence and who knows just what further evidence to their involvement with Madeleine's absence from the family home Amaral may have in his possession?

AnnaEsse wrote:

Angelique wrote:AnnaEsse

You wrote:

"On the subject of 'Justice Works In Silence,' this is an article from Enfants Kidnappés blog, 4th August 2008. That blog no longer exists, which is a pity because there was a wealth on information on the Maddie case and on those of many other missing children. This is my translation of the article.

"Madeleine McCann: the investigation goes on."

The investigation goes on.

The PJ had announced during the archiving of the case file..........: "

Many thanks for this article I read a little of it and then had to log off and its taken me this long to find it again. It is a very good article. It also gives us hope that the TM are very aware that this other evidence exists and as we know have been trying to get hold of it. It really boosts my flagging confidence that we would ever get justice for Madeleine. But while this evidence exist - there is HOPE!

Thank you, Angelique. I hope the PJ did carry on away from the glare of the media spotlight.

When I found that article, I also found something I'd been looking for for ages. That was the bit about Jane Tanner's rogatory interview and what happened when the fire alarm went off. She apparently spoke to a lawyer for one of the suspects and also to one of the suspects. If that is true, which suspect was there and why?

ONE WONDERS INDEED WHO LAWYERS THEY WERE

http://www.cmjornal.xl.pt/detalhe/noticias/nacional/portugal/pj-pede-suspensao-para-investigadores

Gonçalo Amaral and Paulo Pereira Cristóvão Accused of Acts of Aggression Against Leonor Cipriano

PJ Asks for the Investigators’ Suspension

The Disciplinary Unit of the PJ is asking for the suspension of Paulo Pereira Cristóvão, Gonçalo Amaral and three PJ inspectors for their alleged involvement in the case of aggression against Leonor Cipriano, sentenced for the murder and concealment of her daughter, Joana in 2004.

• 11 December 2011


By:J.T.

A measure which for Paulo Pereira Cristóvão, ex-PJ, does not make sense. "I have not been notified of anything and I left the PJ in 2006, therefore there cannot be any link and I cannot be suspended from anything. Furthermore, if anyone has proved the aggression and acts of torture after the courts were not able to prove anything, then they would incur in the crime of defamation”, he told CM.

The five were accused by the Public Ministry of being involved in the beating of Leonor Cipriano during an interrogation at Portimao PJ. CM did not manage to speak with Gonçalo Amaral.

how terribly sad. they seemed such a strong couple. I just hope there is more to this than meets the eye....