Portuguese prosecutors say a man had been formally identified as a suspect in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann 15 years ago.
It is the first time Portuguese prosecutors have identified an official suspect in the case since Kate and Gerry McCann, Madeleine's parents, were named suspects in 2007. They were later cleared.
Madeleine disappeared from her bedroom on May 3, 2007, during a family holiday in Portugal's Algarve region while her parents were dining with friends nearby in the resort of Praia da Luz.
Prosecutors in Faro, Algarve's main city, did not publicly name the man but said in a statement he was identified as a suspect by German authorities at their request.
The suspect has not been charged with any crime related to the disappearance and he has denied any involvement.
Prosecutors said the investigation had been carried out with cooperation from British and German authorities.
Portugal's Judiciary Police handed over documents with hundreds of names related to Madeleine's case, including that of the suspect, to British authorities in 2012, according to the force.
German police received their first tip-off linking the suspect to Madeleine's case in 2013.
Next month will mark 15 years since Madeleine disappeared.
Madeleine's disappearance has been the source of documentaries, podcasts and a Netflix series, with police identifying hundreds of people as potentially significant to the case.
The disappearance of Madeleine, or "Maddy" as she is known in Britain, sparked a massive search effort and an international media frenzy.
No trace of her has ever been found.
Last year her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, marked what would have been their daughter's 18th birthday.
"We hang on to the hope, however small, that we will see Madeleine again," they said last May.
"As we have said repeatedly, we need to know what has happened to our lovely daughter, no matter what. We are very grateful to the police for their continued efforts.
"We still receive so many positive words and good wishes despite the years that have gone by. It all helps and for that, we are truly grateful – thank you."
ABC/wires
