MURAT LOVE TRIANGLE

A TANGLED LOVE LIFE
Martin Fricker in Praia da Luz 16/05/2007


MADELEINE MCCANN


ROBERT MURAT
MADELEINE McCann suspect Robert Murat is in a love triangle with a couple also being grilled by police.

Briton Murat, 33, is the lover of German-born Michaela Walczuch who is married to Portuguese pool cleaner Luis Antonio.

All three match the descriptions of three people seen on CCTV at a petrol station outside Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine, four, disappeared 13 days ago.

Yesterday Murat, father of a four-year-old daughter, was formally classed a suspect by Portuguese police. But there is not enough evidence to charge him.

Police said: "We're not saying there's no evidence, just not enough."

Asked if he thought charges would be brought spokesman Olegario Sousa said: "Let's wait and see. We're hopeful this case will be over in the near future."

Murat told his family: "I'm innocent. My life has been ruined."

It emerged yesterday that he was under surveillance by police for more than a week before raiding the home in Praia da Luz he shares with his mother. It is only 150 yards from Madeleine's holiday apartment.

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THE BACKSTREET ROUTE - THE HUNT FOR MADELEINE
Martin Fricker in Praia da Luz 16/05/2007

THERE is a secluded alternative route known to locals between the apartment block where Madeleine vanished 13 days ago and the villa of suspect Robert Murat's widowed mum.

The most direct way between the two buildings is the 150-yard walk along Rua Agostinho Silva.

But the backstreet route, although longer, is unlit and deserted at night. Rua Agostinho Silva - lined with apartments - is popular with tourists heading to the Mark Warner resort's evening events but it is almost impossible to be spotted along the alternative.

Yesterday the Daily Mirror walked the back way to the villa where police are carrying out forensic searches. From the side gate leading out of the McCanns' apartment we turned right on to the street, then left across a small car park, down a little alleyway between two apartment blocks and round behind one of them. The alleyway is lined on one side by thick bushes which surround a field and by a 5ft wall on the other.

From there you simply turn left into a small private path - lined with thick shrubs on both sides - which leads to 71-year-old Jenny Murat's home, Casa Liliana.

ROBERT MURAT PROFILE AND BACKGROUND HERE

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