Kate and Gerry McCann are to return to Portugal for the start of a libel trial

Monday, 11 January 2010

Kate and Gerry McCann are to return to Portugal for the start of a libel trial


Kate and Gerry McCann are returning to Portugal for the libel trial of the former Portuguese detective who headed the investigation into their daughter Madeleine's disappearance.

The couple launched legal action against Goncalo Amaral after he published a book questioning their account about what happened to the little girl.

Mr and Mrs McCann, both 41, from Rothley, Leicestershire, will fly to Lisbon ahead of the three-day trial, which is due to start at the main civil court in the Portuguese capital on Tuesday.

It is understood that they plan to attend all the hearings, but do not intend to go back to the Algarve resort where Madeleine vanished more than two-and-a-half years ago.

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "I can confirm that Kate and Gerry McCann will be returning to Portugal on Monday to attend the resumption of the Amaral trial on Tuesday at the main civil court in Lisbon.

"The details of their travel plans and itinerary will at their request remain private."

Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3 2007 while her parents dined with friends nearby.

Four months after her disappearance, Mr and Mrs McCann were made "arguidos", or formal suspects, in the case but this was lifted when the investigation was shelved in July 2008.

Mr Amaral at first led the Portuguese inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance but he was taken off the case in October 2007 after criticising the British police in a newspaper interview.

In his book Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie, which was published in July 2008, Mr Amaral claimed that Madeleine was dead and questioned the McCanns' account that she was abducted. A Portuguese judge granted an injunction in September last year banning further sale or publication of the book.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/world/madeleine-mccanns-parents-back-in-portugal-for-trial-14630667.html#ixzz0cHaleP4u

Thats probably because they will be going by PRIVATE JET and taking some OTHER things with them.

Lets face it....they could sell the nice family pics to use in the search for their LOST.....FORGOTTEN daughter...

Thanks Annabel,
and here, too, from CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/01/11/portugal.britain.madeleine.mccann/

McCann's parents to attend libel case against police officer
January 11, 2010 1:56 a.m. EST

Madrid, Spain (CNN) -- The parents of missing Madeleine McCann are due in Portugal this week as plaintiffs in a case seeking 1.2 million euros ($1.7 million dollars) in libel damages against a former Portuguese police investigator, McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell told CNN.

The ex-officer, Goncalo Amaral -- who worked for a time on the case after Madeleine was reported missing in May 2007 -- wrote a book that "indirectly alleges Madeleine is dead and implies" the parents must have known, Mitchell said.

Madeleine vanished from the family's holiday villa at the Portuguese beach resort of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007 as her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann of Britain, dined in a nearby restaurant. She was 3 years old at the time.

The McCanns maintain that Madeleine is alive and have garnered international support in an effort to find her, enlisting the aid of celebrities and Pope Benedict XVI.

Kate and Gerry McCann are due to fly to Lisbon Monday afternoon and plan to attend the full hearing, which starts Tuesday and is expected to last three or four days. A verdict is likely soon after the conclusion, possibly by the end of next week, Mitchell said.

The McCanns accepted $1.1 million in libel damages in March 2008, and front-page apologies from the London newspapers the Daily Express and the Daily Star, over stories alleging the parents were involved in the disappearance or death of their daughter.

The money went to Madeleine's Fund, a nonprofit company set up to find the girl and bring to justice anyone who played a role in her disappearance.

At one point, authorities in Portugal had named the girl's parents as suspects, along with a British man living in Portugal, Robert Murat. But a spokesman for the Portuguese prosecutor's office said in July 2008 that authorities found no evidence of involvement by any of the three and were no longer considering them suspects.

Portuguese investigators closed the case in July 2008.

Amaral's book, "A Verdade da Mentira," ("The Truth of the Lie") was published in Portugal in 2008.

It has since been published in France, Germany and Spain, with excerpts and its allegations repeated on the Internet, Mitchell said.

A Portuguese judge has granted an injunction against Amaral, freezing some assets, and ordering him not to repeat his allegations. The judge also ordered unsold copies of the book to be returned to the publisher, and "many thousands" have already been returned, Mitchell said.

But Antonio Cabrita, a lawyer for Amaral, told CNN he will argue the right to "freedom of speech," under the Portuguese constitution in seeking to lift the judge's injunction against the book and Amaral.

The injunction, issued in September 2009, also extends to the book's Portuguese publisher and a Portuguese TV station that reported on the book's allegations, said Cabrita, who represents only Amaral, not the other defendants.

Amaral is expected to testify first, on Tuesday, about his book's allegations that Madeleine may have died accidentally at the Portuguese resort and that her parents were aware of that, Cabrita said.

"Now there is a chance to present new facts" to the judge, Cabrita said, adding that Amaral's book basically contains allegations that were part of the police investigation before authorities closed the case.

Mitchell said such allegations, which can't be proven, hurt the parents' search to find Madeleine.

The McCann couple "didn't start this fight" with Amaral and were reluctant to bring the lawsuit, but felt compelled because "he can't prove his points," Mitchell said.

Amaral was a lead investigator on the case when he gave an interview to a Portuguese newspaper, despite an order of judicial secrecy surrounding the investigation, and his superiors then removed him from the case, Cabrita said.

Kitti

I would be very surprised if they take the twins, this is a Hearing about the injunction, not the Trial where
the twins and Madeleine are included. They are only away for a few days and have plenty of Relatives who
would travel to Rothley to care for them.

Wonder if they are staying with "friends"?

Sky keep showing the old footage of last month's trip (Gerry in beige jumper dragging KM behind him). I bet they are staying with the Hubbards.

Lilemor

How do you and Annabel manage to get all this News "hot off the Press", are you involved in the Industry?
I wouldn"t know where to start.

Anyway, thanks, it is a good report from CNN and Clarence has been very busy briefing the Press, but for the first time someone has interviewed Amaral"s Lawyer which is refreshing.

Annabel

Thanks for your post, another interesting report, it is noticeable that neither the BT or CNN is biased towards the McCanns, nothing so far from the British Press. I expect the Press will find out where they are staying,
but because the hearing is being held behind closed doors, there will not be the same interest so the Press
may not want to go to Portugal at all.

Beattie, hello ,
I receive the news via my feeds.
It is comfortable.

But there are lots of important portuguese McCann news and I don´t know where to post them here.

The McCann couple "didn't start this fight" with Amaral and were reluctant to bring the lawsuit, but felt compelled because "he can't prove his points," Mitchell said.

So Mr Mitchell can Kate and Gerry prove that Madeleine was abducted?. Thought not!.

Lilemor wrote:Beattie, hello ,
I receive the news via my feeds.
It is comfortable.

But there are lots of important portuguese McCann news and I don´t know where to post them here.

If the news has a source that you can quote then open up a new link with a suitable heading. If there is no
source, either a Newspaper or Blog, include the News in one of your posts on this thread with "rumour has it"
to indicate it may not be true.

Or you can PM me with the News if you don"t want to post it.

"Now there is a chance to present new facts" to the judge, Cabrita said,'

This is the most interesting line in the whole article IMO.

fedrules wrote:"Now there is a chance to present new facts" to the judge, Cabrita said,'

This is the most interesting line in the whole article IMO.

I agree and can understand why the McCanns want the Hearings held In Camera. I presume a transcript will
be made public though.

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/crime/m ... 352513.htm

McCanns return to Portugal for libel trial

Monday, 11, Jan 2010 11:04

By Richard James.

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann are returning to Portugal for the libel trial of the detective who initially headed the investigation into their daughter's disappearance.

The McCanns launched legal action against Goncalo Amaral following the publication of his book, The Truth Of The Lie, in which he claimed Madeleine is dead and questioned the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

Madeleine went missing in May 2007 aged three from an apartment her family were renting on holiday in Praia da Luz.

The three-day trial is due to begin on Tuesday with the McCanns flying to Lisbon before legal proceedings begin.

Spokesman for the family Clarence Mitchell said: "I can confirm that Kate and Gerry McCann will be returning to Portugal on Monday to attend the resumption of the Amaral trial on Tuesday at the main civil court in Lisbon.

"The details of their travel plans and itinerary will at their request remain private."

Mr Amaral initially led the investigation by Portuguese police into Madeleine's disappearance but was later removed from the case after criticising British police.

He was cast back into the limelight following the publication of his book in July 2008.

Last year, however, a Portuguese judge granted an injunction banning any further publication or sales of the book.

Despite a massive international media campaign by her parents, Madeleine has never been seen or heard from since she went missing on May 3rd 2007.

I wonder if we will ever know the truth of what happen

Yes I firmly believe at some point that the truth will come out. It may not be for a long time, but inevitably truth has a way of finding to present itself.

tanszi...i believe you are right,i am not a prolific poster (there are many more people able to use words better than me).
the one thing that keeps me fighting is the knowledge that the truth will be delivered to the world.

tanszi wrote:Yes I firmly believe at some point that the truth will come out. It may not be for a long time, but inevitably truth has a way of finding to present itself.

Someone posted this on my Facebook page:

"as a Chinese saying goes "once the water lowers, we will see the rock".....the truth can only be hidden for so long"

chinese sayings carry a heap of wisdom.

blossom45 wrote:chinese sayings carry a heap of wisdom.

Such as....may they live in interesting times..............which means may their lives never be peaceful!

"Mitchell said such allegations, which can't be proven, hurt the parents' search to find Madeleine."

Of course, these "allegations" can be proven as they exist in the portuguese police files. The point is that Gonçalo Amaral did not make any personal allegations, he only repeated what was in the office police files, which were already made public. Even the final conclusions at the end of the book are taken word for word from the report made by Tavares de Almeida on 10 September 2007.

They claim that Gonçalo Amaral can't sustain the thesis of an accident and hiding of the body, but how can the McCanns prove their thesis of an abduction? The PP, in his final report, left all possibilities open and considered that it was most likely that Madeleine was dead. He also stated that the McCanns missed the opportunity to prove their innocence by not attending the reconstruction and by Kate not answering any of the 48 questions.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Madeleine-Kate-And-Gerry-McCann-Return-To-Portugal-For-Libel-Trial-Of-Man-Who-Led-Investigation/Article/201001215518652?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_6&lid=ARTICLE_15518652_Madeleine%3A_Kate_And_Gerry_McCann_Return_To_Portugal_For_Libel_Trial_Of_Man_Who_Led_Investigation

McCanns Return To Portugal For Libel Case

11:05am UK, Monday January 11, 2010

Neal Walker, Sky News Online
Kate and Gerry McCann will return to Portugal later for the libel trial of the former policeman who led the investigation into their daughter's disappearance.

The McCanns say any damages they are awarded will fund private investigators

The couple launched legal action against former Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral after he published a book questioning their account of what happened to Madeleine.

Mr and Mrs McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, will fly to Lisbon today ahead of the three-day trial, which is due to start at the main civil court in the Portuguese capital tomorrow.

The couple plan to attend all the hearings, but do not intend to go back to the Algarve resort where Madeleine vanished more than two-and-a-half years ago.

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "I can confirm that Kate and Gerry McCann will be returning to Portugal on Monday to attend the resumption of the Amaral trial on Tuesday.

"The details of their travel plans and itinerary will remain private at their request."


Madeleine was nearly four years old when she went missing from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3, 2007, while her parents dined with friends nearby.

Four months after her disappearance, Mr and Mrs McCann were made 'arguidos', or formal suspects, but this was lifted when the investigation was shelved in July 2008.

Mr Amaral led the investigation in the first six months following Madeleine's disappearance.

But he was taken off the case in October 2007 after criticising the British police in a newspaper interview.


In his book Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie, which was published in July 2008, Mr Amaral claimed that Madeleine was dead, and questioned the McCanns' account that she was abducted.

A Portuguese judge granted an injunction in September last year banning further sale or publication of the book.

The former policeman was also prohibited from repeating his claims about Madeleine or her parents.

The McCanns travelled to Lisbon for the opening of the libel trial in December, but the hearing was adjourned until this week after Mr Amaral's lawyer failed to turn up for health reasons.

The couple have previously said any money awarded in damages by the courts would go towards paying for private investigators to look for their daughter.

:: Sky News Online will be covering the libel case with line-by-line live updates from inside the courtroom in Portugal.

http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-societe/2010-01-11/portugal-le-proces-opposant-les-parents-de-madeleine-mccann-a-un-ancien/920/0/412304

Le procès opposant les parents de Madeleine McCann à un ancien inspecteur s'ouvre mardi

Un nouveau combat commence pour la famille McCann. Les parents de la jeune Britannique Madeleine, disparue en mai 2007 au Portugal, se rendent à Lisbonne lundi afin d'assister à l'ouverture d'un procès les opposant à l'ancien inspecteur chargé de l'enquête. À la suite d'un référé déposé par les McCann, la justice portugaise avait ordonné en septembre dernier le retrait des rayons du livre de l'ex-policier Gonçalo Amaral, La Vérité du mensonge , consacré à la disparition de "Maddie". Dans son livre, qui a été adapté par la télévision, Amaral assure que la petite Maddie est morte et que ses parents pourraient avoir dissimulé son cadavre.

Les McCann ont engagé des poursuites en diffamation à l'encontre de Gonçalo Amaral et réclament une indemnisation de 1,2 million d'euros. Les auditions débuteront mardi avec le témoignage d'Amaral, et devraient durer trois ou quatre jours. L'avocat de Gonçalo Amaral, Antonio Cabrita, a affirmé sur CNN qu'il se battrait au nom de la liberté d'expression. "La liberté d'expression ne devrait pas inclure la distorsion de la vérité, les mensonges, les manipulations et les calomnies", a rétorqué Kate McCann. "Nous sommes ici pour nous battre pour notre fille et si quelqu'un franchit la ligne il doit être prêt à défendre ses propos devant un tribunal", a souligné son époux Gerry. Le verdict pourrait être rendu en fin de semaine prochaine.

Les parents blanchis

En mars 2008, les McCann avaient accepté 1,1 million de dollars (environ 760.000 euros) d'indemnisations et des excuses en première page des quotidiens The Daily Express et The Daily Star . Déjà en cause : des allégations concernant la probable implication des parents dans la disparition et la mort de leur fille. La somme ainsi recueillie était allée dans un fonds destiné à financer les recherches de la petite fille.

Madeleine avait disparu le 3 mai 2007, quelques jours avant son quatrième anniversaire, alors qu'elle dormait dans une chambre d'un complexe touristique de Praia da Luz, dans le sud du Portugal. En septembre de la même année, ses parents avaient été mis en examen, soupçonnés par le responsable de l'enquête Gonçalo Amaral d'avoir dissimulé le cadavre de la fillette après un décès accidentel. Depuis, ils ont été blanchis et l'enquête classée par la police portugaise . Les parents, qui ont toujours privilégié la thèse d'un enlèvement, ont lancé une vaste campagne médiatique et une souscription publique, notamment pour s'assurer les services de détectives privés et tenter de retrouver leur fille.

There is the usual article on the dailySnail. I have posted a comment - won't get published though.

http://www.demorgen.be/dm/nl/990/Buitenland/article/detail/1052421/2010/01/11/Ouders-van-Maddie-willen-12-miljoen-euro-in-rechtszaak-tegen-speurder.dhtml

Ouders van Maddie willen 12 miljoen euro in rechtszaak tegen speurder

Kate en Gary McCann, de ouders van de in de Algarve verdwenen Britse kleuter Madeleine, vertrekken vandaag naar Portugal om daar de rechtszaak bij te wonen die zij tegen een vroegere speurder in de verdwijningszaak hebben aangespannen, zo heeft de Amerikaanse nieuwszender CNN op gezag van familiewoordvoerder Clarence Mitchell gemeld.

Schadevergoeding
De McCanns willen 12 miljoen euro aan schadevergoeding wegens laster en eerroof verkrijgen van de Portugese speurder Goncalo Amaral die een tijd aan de zaak-Maddie heeft gewerkt. Het ouderpaar is ontstemd omdat hij in een in 2008 verschenen boek indirect heeft geschreven dat het kind dood is en dat dit impliceert dat de ouders dit moeten hebben geweten.

Verdacht
Madeleine McCann is op net geen 4-jarige leeftijd op 3 mei 2007 verdwenen uit de vakantiewoning die haar ouders in het Portugese Praia da Luz hadden gehuurd, terwijl die even verderop aan het dineren waren met Britse vrienden. Het ouderpaar werd een tijd als verdacht beschouwd, maar gold dit niet meer nadat het onderzoek in de zomer van 2008 bij gebrek aan vooruitgang en bewijzen werd afgesloten.

Excuses
Gerry en Kate McCann verkregen al een schadevergoeding en excuses op de eerste pagina van enkele Britse tabloïds omwille van berichten over betrokkenheid van het ouderpaar bij de verdwijning van hun dochter.

Rechtzitting
Zij willen de hele rechtzitting bijwonen. Ze begint morgen en zou drie tot vier dagen duren, aldus Mitchell. Mogelijk is er eind volgende week een uitspraak. (belga/vbd)
11/01/10 13u50