An interview with Semanário Privado

Gonçalo Amaral: An interview with Semanário Privado

Taken from Joana Morais
Apologies if already posted,I have not read all threads yet. Mods please delete if need be.


“The apprehension of my book only gives me more strength to discover the truth about the Maddie case”Gonçalo Amaral is going to request the political parties and the Republic’s President an audience, after his book “Maddie – The Truth about the Lie” was ordered apprehended by a judge at Lisbon’s Civil Court. The former inspector thinks that freedom of expression is under threat, at a time when new facts concerning Maddie’s disappearance may come to light

by José Leite

How do you comment on the apprehension of your book, “Maddie – The Truth about the Lie”? Do you think there’s the “hand” of the McCanns in this? Has the book started to be apprehended from the stores?
My comment is a concerned one, as an author and as a citizen who still holds his full civil rights. I remind you that I left the PJ in June last year, in order to recover my freedom of expression and that, 15 months later, they want to strip me of that freedom. The “hand” is evident: those persons filed the request for the injunction. I have no idea if the book has started to be apprehended, the fact is that it hadn’t been sold for months and now it seems to be sold out.

How many copies have been sold?
I don’t know the number of copies that have been sold, it seems that those persons know more than I do, they must hold privileged information.

If your appeal wins, do you intend to sue the judge who prohibited the sale of your book, and the McCanns, over the damages?As you know, it is not yet possible, in this democratic, lawful country, to notify judicial decisions through the media, at least when those affect and restrict fundamental rights. I will not pronounce myself about the illustrious judge, because I respect, obey and believe in the judicial system, and mainly because I do not know the fundament and the contents of the decision. As far as the authors of the injunction are concerned, I will exercise my rights, whether in a civil or in a criminal court.

When you mention limitations on the freedom of expression in Portugal, are you solely referring to your case, or also to other recent cases, like that of TVI? Or the processes that were filed against “bloggers” who disturbed the socialist power, especially José Sócrates?It’s not me that says it, it’s the politicians who speak about an asphyxia of democracy in this 21st century Portugal, 35 years after the [revolution of the] 25th of April. There are limitations to the freedom of expression, there are journalists who are prevented from informing, this is a tragic reality. On the other hand, I do not point my finger at any specific party, the limitations come from those in power, who are possibly disturbed by the objectivity and the freedom that assists those who write and who have the duty to inform. As an attentive citizen, my opinion is that the concentration and the monopoly of the media have prompted a crisis and are limiting the freedom of information, of opinion and of expression. The journalists have become employees of corporations, more interested in profit than in informing (maybe not in its entirety, but it is close).

Has anyone at the PJ shown his or her solidarity with what has happened to you?My friends stand with me. As far as others are concerned, it needs to be recalled that the PJ, just like other institutions, is going through an electoral period and some fear changes, therefore no major solidarity should be expected from there.

When will the English version of the book be launched?

It will be launched, that is all that I can tell you right now.

Do you think it was a mere coincidence, the fact that the judge who decided over the apprehension of your book was the same who condemned the Portuguese State to pay 131 thousand euro of compensation to Paulo Pedroso?
I trust the judicial system and its independence, therefore I’m not commenting on the coincidence, which is probably just that, but we are attentive.

Don’t you think that there is a personal persecution against you, after you saw your pretension to run for mayor for the Algarve’s PSD, dismissed?
That’s a good question. Two or three days before the president of PSD vetoed my name, the now author of the injunction was in Lisbon. According to what is being said, he met with his then lawyer and with a politician from that party. We are interested in confirming said meeting and its relation with the decision that affected my civil right to be elected.

What hidden interests – masonry, national and international political lobbies – are moving in order to set you up?

I’m not a fan of conspiracy theories, there may be coincidences concerning the people who are trying to destroy me, but on the other hand, I have been receiving support from people who are connected to the masonry. I do not believe in any concerted effort to destroy me, this is something personal, not organised.

Should Maddie’s parents worry about the fact that Gonçalo Amaral mentioned that he is going to continue, in private, to investigate the case of the disappearance of little Maddie? What passage of your book may have disturbed them most?
The authors of the injunction are worried about the fact that I am a rather experienced criminal investigator. My book tells about that experience and knowledge. Many books have been published about the little girl’s disappearance, some more aggressive and more violent, but written by journalists, and they were not targeted by any injunction. The authors of the injunction fear my knowledge and my experience.

One of the new facts that have already been revealed by our newspaper – and that was also mentioned during the McCanns’ interview with Oprah Winfrey – concerns a blanket that disappeared from the Ocean Club and that, allegedly, was used as a shroud during a funeral. Could that be one of the worries for those who persist in preventing the discovery of the entire truth about what happened to little Maddie?
I’ll explain: this child, like so many others of her age, slept with a certain blanket and with a certain soft toy. During that interview that you mention, the interviewer spoke to the mother, saying that she knew about her concern in knowing if the abductor covered her with “her blanket”. So far, nothing much. Now notice this, the blanket was left behind when the disappearance happened. There is documentation that proves that it was not taken with her, and there is no known testimony saying that it was seen when she was being carried away in a man’s arms.
What is being asked is the following: Was this a gaffe by the interviewer? Was “her blanket” the one that was left behind? How did “her blanket” go back to the child? These are the questions that need an answer and at the very least, they may indicate that there is something wrong.

Is there any other fact in the process that should be investigated further?

Yes. To find out why the soft toy that the little girl used the most – and that was later used by Kate McCann in all of her public appearances – was washed before the sniffer dogs, that are experts in detecting cadaver odour, arrived in Portugal.

Do you continue to defend that the key to the mystery lies in Aldeia da Luz?
We have no doubts whatsoever. That is where the little girl disappeared from and where she was seen for the last time. A reconstruction is still necessary.

Does this episode of the veto on the book give you strength to proceed with your investigation, or to publish more books about this case?

They want to destroy me. They started out by attacking my good name, my honour and my professional pride. Now they want to attack my patrimony, apart from affecting my civil rights, the freedom of expression and of opinion. What is still left is freedom and life, will the next step be an attack against those? I have reasons to be afraid, but they won’t shut me up, and this sad and worrying episode will give me strength to proceed and to contribute towards the discovery of the truth and the fulfilment of justice. God protect me, but they won’t shut me up.




Attorney General receives information that may reopen the Maddie case
We have been informed that psychologist Paulo Sargento, a regular commentator of the Maddie case on television, has sent the Republic’s Attorney General a letter with information that may reopen the “Maddie case” process.

Although he declined to reveal the contents of this letter, he advanced that there is something “very important” concerning the cuddle cat (Maddie’s soft toy, that Kate often carried with her during her media appearances), an object which, as has been made public, was positively signalled with cadaver odour by the sniffer dogs. Together with “Maddie’s blanket”, the pink soft toy may be a starting point to reopen the process “at a time when, apart from an attempt to silence Gonçalo Amaral, through an injunction against his book ‘The Truth about the Lie’, a shameful picture of an attack on the family of the former inspector, by the British media, is starting to emerge”, the psychologist told Semanário Privado.



I do worry for Gonalo Amaral\'s safety
I pray for Goncalo and his family that God will protect them

:Theman:

He certainly shoots from the hip, doesn't he? He's openly accrediting his difficulties with politics and the books to the McCanns. No wonder he makes them nervous and he's quite confidently revealed a number of issues he feels would bear investigation and I don't think that's all he's got. So, I wonder, what other stuff does he know about, that he's not mentioning....?

great interview.

There's hope!

Thank you frankie stein for Posting this, Mr G.A. is a very strong Man he wont give up.
Mr G.A. is the McCann's biggest threat they know he knows, I wonder what else he knows that he can't talk about at the present time?.

We have been informed that psychologist Paulo Sargento, a regular commentator of the Maddie case on television, has sent the Republic’s Attorney General a letter with information that may reopen the “Maddie case” process.

Although he declined to reveal the contents of this letter, he advanced that there is something “very important” concerning the cuddle cat (Maddie’s soft toy, that Kate often carried with her during her media appearances), an object which, as has been made public, was positively signalled with cadaver odour by the sniffer dogs. Together with “Maddie’s blanket”, the pink soft toy may be a starting point to reopen the process “at a time when, apart from an attempt to silence Gonçalo Amaral, through an injunction against his book ‘The Truth about the Lie’, a shameful picture of an attack on the family of the former inspector, by the British media, is starting to emerge”, the psychologist told Semanário Privado.

It is that bit I find so intriguing.

Thank you Frankie for this. Amaral is a very brave man and I salute him. A lot of people in the UK are backing him up. I also know that a lot French people are backing him.

GA: :Theman:

David wrote:Thank you Frankie for this. Amaral is a very brave man and I salute him. A lot of people in the UK are backing him up. I also know that a lot French people are backing him.

GA: :Theman:

Maaaaaaaaaany people in PT are backinh him up too

Not seen that before, thanks!

I really hope that this information from Goncalo about cuddle cat means there is more that he's not disclosing and along with Paulo Sargento's letter to the AG will,reopen the investigation into Maddie disappearance.

Thanks for that Frankie. x

Don't suppose any of our press will print this.

They want to destroy me. They started out by attacking my good name, my honour and my professional pride. Now they want to attack my patrimony, apart from affecting my civil rights, the freedom of expression and of opinion. What is still left is freedom and life, will the next step be an attack against those? I have reasons to be afraid, but they won’t shut me up, and this sad and worrying episode will give me strength to proceed and to contribute towards the discovery of the truth and the fulfilment of justice. God protect me, but they won’t shut me up.

Mr Amaral is always a little coy of stating who they are though. The parents are in many ways victimes themselves, he once said. He doesn't believe in conspiracies. And yet here he is mentioning the Portuguese government in relation to this case.

I'm confused but here :Hug1: have a hug Mr A.

Very intriguing I agree Bren will cuddle cat be the key to reopening this case?

I wonder whether the other item referred to as being positively signalled by the dogs was a little red t-shirt.

He certainly comes across as a man of integrity who would die for his honour by the sound of it .I do hope he and his family remain safe !

Rapier wrote:Really? He always strikes me as an unimaginative thug who wouldn't think twice of thumping a witness when no one was looking.

I'm afraid I'm not a fan of the guy, sorry.

Ugh! What a horrible comment.

Goncalo Amaral is an educated, intelligent, dignified man with 25 years of experience in the Portuguese police. He is used to dealing with crooks,liars,cover-ups, and was sceptical of the abduction theory from the very beginning. His book is honest, factual and well presented. If anything he errs on the side of caution. Not for one minute do I think he really believes that Maddies death was an accident nor that she fell from the sofa and harmed herself - and if she did the question is did she fall or was she pushed (whoosh! clunked!)
Goncalo and his wife did not seek fame, or fortune - they don't need it - and have been pushed into the media spotlight by the horribly unfair treatment he received from the very people he had served so diligently and for so long - his employers, the portuguese government.
Quality is a word that springs to mind when making comparisons here. The Amarals have it and the Mccanns do not!

Rapier wrote:Really? He always strikes me as an unimaginative thug who wouldn't think twice of thumping a witness when no one was looking.

I'm afraid I'm not a fan of the guy, sorry.

Despite what you think of him he seems to be the only one looking for the little girl the McCanns lost and who aren't bothering to search for.

Will you revise your way of thinking of him when he finds Maddy or will be still be an unimaginative thug who found the worlds most famous missing child?

'I have reasons to be afraid ' What does that say about the McCanns.'God protect me but they won't shut me up'.What does that say about Amaral ,i know what it says to me ,that this is a man who will allow nothing to get in the way of the truth.

One of the new facts that have already been revealed by our newspaper – and that was also mentioned during the McCanns’ interview with Oprah Winfrey – concerns a blanket that disappeared from the Ocean Club and that, allegedly, was used as a shroud during a funeral. Could that be one of the worries for those who persist in preventing the discovery of the entire truth about what happened to little Maddie?

I’ll explain: this child, like so many others of her age, slept with a certain blanket and with a certain soft toy. During that interview that you mention, the interviewer spoke to the mother, saying that she knew about her concern in knowing if the abductor covered her with “her blanket”. So far, nothing much. Now notice this, the blanket was left behind when the disappearance happened. There is documentation that proves that it was not taken with her, and there is no known testimony saying that it was seen when she was being carried away in a man’s arms. What is being asked is the following: Was this a gaffe by the interviewer? Was “her blanket” the one that was left behind? How did “her blanket” go back to the child? These are the questions that need an answer and at the very least, they may indicate that there is something wrong.

what does this bit mean please? I've not seen the Oprah interview. What does he mean 'a gaffe' ?

What does he mean 'a gaffe' ?

Mistake, slip of the tounge, small error ?

Laffin Assasin wrote:What does he mean 'a gaffe' ?

Mistake, slip of the tounge, small error ?

I know what a gaffe is

I just don't get what he means by it. I guess you'd need to have seen the interview.

If the blanket was seen after Madeleine was abducted I wonder what happened to it since. Also the cuddlecat. I wonder when it was bought. I once heard that it was bought at the airport. Which would make the death scent hard to explain. No wonder they want the book banned.

lnorton wrote:Goncalo Amaral is an educated, intelligent, dignified man with 25 years of experience in the Portuguese police. He is used to dealing with crooks,liars,cover-ups, and was sceptical of the abduction theory from the very beginning. His book is honest, factual and well presented. If anything he errs on the side of caution. Not for one minute do I think he really believes that Maddies death was an accident nor that she fell from the sofa and harmed herself - and if she did the question is did she fall or was she pushed (whoosh! clunked!)
Goncalo and his wife did not seek fame, or fortune - they don't need it - and have been pushed into the media spotlight by the horribly unfair treatment he received from the very people he had served so diligently and for so long - his employers, the portuguese government.
Quality is a word that springs to mind when making comparisons here. The Amarals have it and the Mccanns do not!

I declare the above "Post of The Day"

:Wave:

I agree, post of the day!