THIS is the barren flat where Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner was holed up following his release from jail.
The state-funded property — furnished with a single chair, bed and table but no TV — was the freed paedophile’s home for four days.
Dan CharityMadeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner is moved from his flat by police[/caption]
Dan CharityThe spartan flat used by Brueckner[/caption]
Dan CharityChildren play outside the ground-floor flat[/caption]
It was said to be even more basic than the solitary confinement cell in prison from which he had been released earlier this month.
But on Saturday smirking Brueckner, 48, was moved out of the grim flat by police, who became fearful for his safety when residents in the German town of Neumunster found out he was living there.
He was moved to a smart, inner-city hotel — the location of which has not been revealed in line with the country’s strict privacy laws.
A hotel source said: “Everyone was stunned when he walked in — of course, they were surprised. It was clear who he was and none of the staff or anyone at the hotel wanted him there. It’s not good when the police just stand outside.
“We think he was only there for one night and has now gone — hopefully, a new city takes him.”
Three-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leics, was snatched from the Ocean Club, in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007 while on holiday with her family.
In 2020, Brueckner was named as the prime suspect in her disappearance and murder by German police, who said his mobile was detected in the area on the night she vanished.
He was already serving seven years for the rape of a woman, 72, in Praia in 2005.
German police say they have proof Madeleine is dead but have been reluctant to charge Brueckner without more forensic evidence.
His acquittal last year on separate, historical sex and rape charges cleared the way for his release from jail this month.
Reports suggested Brueckner wanted to move to Hamburg when freed but the request was denied.
It is understood Brueckner first went to Kiel, the city on the Baltic coast where his lawyers are based.
But a confidant told The Sun that he left because he felt there “were too many police”.
Detectives are eager to learn more about Brueckner’s boast, revealed in The Sun last week, that he could “solve the scandal of the century”.
He made the remark in a phone shop as he showed off his ankle tag.
AFPMadeleine was snatched from the Ocean Club, in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007 while on holiday with her family[/caption]
Dan CharityReports suggested Brueckner wanted to move to Hamburg when freed but the request was denied[/caption]
Dan CharityGerman police say they have proof Madeleine is dead but have been reluctant to charge Brueckner[/caption]