Five teenagers held after far-right group planned attacks in Germany as political violence surges
German police have arrested five teenagers over alleged involvement with a far-right group calling itself 'Last Defence Wave' that allegedly aims to destabilise the country's democratic system by carrying out attacks on migrants and political opponents.
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The Irish Sun
16 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm terrified Maddie suspect Christian Brueckner will hunt me down after he's freed from prison, says rape survivor
RAPE survivor Hazel Behan fears Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner will 'hunt me down' after his prison release. Brueckner, 47, is due to be 4 Rape survivor Hazel Behan tells her story Credit: Dan Charity 4 Convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner is due to be freed from a German jail in September Credit: Paul Edwards 4 Officers travelled to Germany for a search of derelict farms in Praia da Luz Credit: Dan Charity And Hazel, who has waived her right to anonymity, said: 'His sentence may be ending but mine never did. I have lived with fear every day for 21 years. "Fear that I'll see him. Fear that he'll find out where I live and hunt me down. I also have fear that he'll do to someone else what he did to me. 'I've called him out in a public forum and I have genuine concern he could confront me. "I wouldn't put anything past a person like him. If he is released, I will worry for every woman and child who, like me, believes the justice system is protecting them. "A leopard doesn't change his spots.' His expected release from his current conviction comes a month before Hazel will discover the outcome of her High Court appeal in Although Judge Uta Engemann described the Dublin woman as a 'credible witness' and said 'we have no doubt something bad happened to her', she added there was not enough evidence to Hazel went on: 'I am a survivor of sexual assault and rape — a title I never asked for, but one I have carried with me every day for almost 21 years. "If he is released in September, he can go anywhere he wants. The police can only get involved in protecting me if he comes into my garden. Madeleine McCann cops call off search as trawl of Brueckner's 'rat run' turns up nothing 'I think of every survivor who never got to speak, and every woman who might become the next me. "The system may be ready to let him go, but I'm not. And neither is the wider society that deserves to feel safe.' The 41-year-old added: 'I have no doubt this predator is capable of anything "Age doesn't matter to him. It is about power and control for him and this won't have changed once he is out of prison. 'He has drifted across many countries over the years and targeted women and children of all ages. What's to stop him coming to Ireland and coming after me again? 'There have been reports he had plastic surgery and although his appearance is known, he could easily live underground and adapt a new identity and appearance. 'He is part of a world where people know how to stay hidden before they commit horrific levels of violence against women and kids.' Authorities in 4 Three-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 Credit: PA Last week, officers travelled to Germany for a Despite his denial of any involvement, cops carried out the extensive hunt in the hope of finding a shred of evidence to link him to Madeleine — and to keep him behind bars. Hazel hopes if And she said: 'It took the German BKA to restore my faith in the police as my experience with the Portuguese was horrendous, to put it mildly. 'I believe the BKA are doing a stellar job and working very hard to bring justice to those believed to be victims of Christian B.' Former holiday rep Hazel also spoke of her ongoing trauma, adding: 'On the 16th of June 2004, 21 years ago, my life changed forever. Face behind the mask 'The man who raped me took more than my sense of safety — he murdered my spirit and crushed my soul. He destroyed all the little parts of me that made me, me. 'He took my trust, my voice, and for a long time, my ability to live freely in the world. 'Since then, I have worked tirelessly to reclaim those pieces of myself. But no matter how much therapy I go through, how much time passes, some scars don't fade.' Hazel also expressed her sympathy and support for the Leicestershire-based family of Madeleine. She said: ' As a parent, I cannot begin to imagine what they have gone through and continue to go through every day for the past 18 years.' On her fight for justice, she said: 'On the 3rd of June 2020, following 16 years of getting to know this 'new me', I was once again thrown back to 2004 — only this time, I was made aware of the face behind the mask. Facing the man I believed completely destroyed my life in court is one of the most difficult things I have willingly ever had to do. Hazel Behan "I grappled with whether I had the mental strength to highlight myself to the relevant authorities as a potential victim, but I knew, deep down, if I didn't, I would always regret it. 'The following four years were unimaginably tough for me and my family and nothing could have prepared me for what lay ahead. "Facing the man I believed completely destroyed my life in court is one of the most difficult things I have willingly ever had to do.' She has also taken a case to the European Court of Human Rights over what her lawyer called the 'systematic and inexcusable failings by the Portuguese authorities that has denied her, and others, justice'. FIEND 'CASH-IN' SEX beast Christian Brueckner is said to be preparing to 'cash in' on his infamy by signing up for TV and book deals when he is released. The rapist and paedophile is set to be released from jail in September. Sources in Germany claim he will be desperate for money once out — and will face no shortage of offers to make money from his notoriety. One said: 'Brueckner is awaited by many members of the media and could be paid well for going onto talk shows, which will offer him a platform to tell his version of the 'injustice' done to him.' He has already maintained his innocence in interviews from jail, also telling German broadcaster RTL of his cravings for steak and beer.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Read Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner's sick letter in full – including chilling ‘no body' gloat
A LETTER written by prime Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner has been exposed, with the sex fiend goading cops by saying: 'Is there a body? No, no no.' The German paedophile bragged in the bombshell letter that cops Advertisement 12 Christian Brueckner letter in which he brags about police never being able to pin the case on him 12 Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner arrives in court in Braunschweig, Germany last year Credit: Dan Charity 12 Madeleine McCann who has been missing since 2007 Credit: Alamy He wrote: 'It is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered. 'Was I or my vehicle clearly seen near the crime scene on the night of the crime? 'Is there DNA evidence of me at the crime scene? Are there DNA traces of the injured party in my vehicle? 'Are there other traces/DNA carriers of the injured party in my possession? Photos?" Advertisement read more on madeleine Brueckner - He wrote: 'You know, of course, that in Germany you don't have to prove your innocence as a suspect, but that the public prosecutor's office has to prove that you are clearly guilty. 'Even the slightest doubt leads to an acquittal, if there is a court hearing at all.' Brueckner even claims the case against him is built on 'purchased witnesses' and reveals his awareness of his global notoriety. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking He wrote: 'Now, my path is paved with misjudgements, so to speak, but from now on the whole world is watching. 'Not even the Braunschweig regional court will now dare to make an obvious misjudgement. 'Even if an attempt is currently being made to create a shocking overall picture of me through purchased witnesses, it is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered with 'yes'. Madeleine McCann cops call off search as trawl of Brueckner's 'rat run' turns up nothing "And, not to forget, is there a body/corpse? All no, no no.' Advertisement He adds: 'You don't have to be a realist like me to predict that the accusations made against me will not hold up and that the investigation will be dropped.' In another letter seen by The Sun, Brueckner described how he used his He wrote: 'Do you know that I was a drug dealer at that time in 2007? Investigators know this. 'I bought marijuana in Spain and sold it on beaches in the Algarve. Advertisement 'I was never caught by the police because I followed a few principles. 'If possible, only drive during the day so that my battered hippie bus doesn't attract so much attention, only drive the necessary and most importantly, never provoke the police.' He added: 'Together with my dog and a lover at the time I enjoyed the 'temporary hippie life'.' 12 The vile letter emerged as officers desperate to find a forensic link to him flew back to Germany after a new three-day search in Portugal Advertisement 12 German prosecutors are convinced of the predator's guilt 12 Police searching various sites in and around the resort of Praia da Luz Credit: Dan Charity 12 A criminal police investigator inspects an abandoned home in the fresh Madeleine search Credit: Reuters He also whinges he has been framed so he can be scapegoated over the Madeleine case. Advertisement He wrote: 'Right from the start they plotted a miscarriage of justice to make me vanish into thin air. And now half the world knows why.' And he adds: 'I am not exaggerating when I say that 80 per cent of what I have heard from the reports is not true. 'A large proportion of these lies are clearly being spread by the investigating authorities. My words are directed at those who are taking this seriously and are not laughing about it. 'Those who want to understand how brutal the German justice system is in its attempts to hammer through its own law, even if nothing is true.' Advertisement The vile letters emerged as officers Scores of cops painstakingly near Praia da Luz with JCBs, radar and fingertip searches, believing the tot or her pyjamas could have been buried there. German prosecutors are convinced of Brueckner's guilt. It comes just weeks after a Advertisement The disturbing evidence demonstrated Brueckner's obsession with young kids. We revealed he wrote horrifying fantasies about abducting and abusing a blonde toddler — and how this would leave him 'in paradise'. He also boasted in online forums about his desire to 'capture something small and use it for days'. Brueckner remains in prison in Germany where he is serving a seven year term for rape. Advertisement The 48-year-old convicted paedophile faces having his hopes of being released from jail in September scuppered after reportedly being accused of new offences against prison guards behind bars. 12 A recent image of the barn 12 The barn in 2007 appearing to have a tent set up The latest search to find DNA or forensic links on the case appeared to have ended without success on Thursday. Advertisement Police were seen taking fibres by hand while a hole was dug at the site of an apparent tent from around the time of Madeleine's disappearance. However, it was unclear whether the search had found anything with enough potential value to the case to be sent back to Germany for testing. Brueckner had already moved out of his cottage in Praia da Luz when three-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leics, arrived with parents Gerry and Kate and her two-year-old twin siblings. He was living in his car, or wild camping in areas including this week's search site. Advertisement Brueckner's letters "It is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered. 'Was I or my vehicle clearly seen near the crime scene on the night of the crime? 'Is there DNA evidence of me at the crime scene? Are there DNA traces of the injured party in my vehicle? 'Are there other traces/DNA carriers of the injured party in my possession? Photos? 'And, not to forget, is there a body/corpse? All no, no no. 'You don't have to be a realist like me to predict that the accusations made against me will not hold up and that the investigation will be dropped. "You know, of course, that in Germany you don't have to prove your innocence as a suspect, but that the public prosecutor's office has to prove that you are clearly guilty. 'Even the slightest doubt leads to an acquittal, if there is a court hearing at all.' 'Now, my path is paved with misjudgements, so to speak, but from now on the whole world is watching. 'Not even the Braunschweig regional court will now dare to make an obvious misjudgement. 'Even if an attempt is currently being made to create a shocking overall picture of me through purchased witnesses, it is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered with 'yes'. 'Do you know that I was a drug dealer at that time in 2007? Investigators know this. 'I bought marijuana in Spain and sold it on beaches in the Algarve. 'I was never caught by the police because I followed a few principles. 'If possible, only drive during the day so that my battered hippie bus doesn't attract so much attention, only drive the necessary and most importantly, never provoke the police. 'Together with my dog and a lover at the time I enjoyed the 'temporary hippie life'. 'Right from the start they plotted a miscarriage of justice to make me vanish into thin air. And now half the world knows why. 'I am not exaggerating when I say that 80 per cent of what I have heard from the reports is not true. 'A large proportion of these lies are clearly being spread by the investigating authorities. My words are directed at those who are taking this seriously and are not laughing about it. 'Those who want to understand how brutal the German justice system is in its attempts to hammer through its own law, even if nothing is true.' The seeming failure of longshot searches for any traces of Madeleine this week is the latest in a string of blows for the case. German authorities who maintain Madeleine is dead are racing to find a way to keep highly dangerous Brueckner behind bars after he was cleared of rape claims last year. He told this week he plans to 'hide' when he is released, as soon as September 17, taking hopes for the Madeleine case with him. The drifter was jailed in 2019, convicted of the 2005 rape of an American pensioner just streets from the Ocean Club, where the McCanns stayed in Praia da Luz. Advertisement The Sun investigation aired on Channel 4 revealed the existence of computer hard drives which were vital in to persuading investigators of Madeleine's death. Our findings placed Breuckner at key Madeleine search location the Arades Dam, in Portugal. And a document puts him at the location — where he allegedly said 'she did not scream' as he discussed her with an associate. In the online message where he brags to another sicko that he really wanted to 'capture something small' he adds it would not matter 'if the evidence is destroyed afterwards'. Advertisement German investigators last night remained hopeful British police might rejoin the investigation as an active inquiry. 12 One of the derelict and abandoned properties close to Praia da Luz, Portugal Credit: PA 12 Police searching various sites in and around the resort Credit: Dan Charity 12 Search teams use a backhoe close to Praia da Luz Credit: PA Advertisement
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner gloats cops ‘will NEVER pin case on me without a body' in sick letter
MADELEINE McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner has gloated that police will never pin the case on him without a body. In a sickening letter, investigation will hit the world like a bomb'. Advertisement 9 Prime suspect Christian Brueckner goaded cops in a sick letter bragging that they will not find a body Credit: Darren Fletcher 9 British toddler Madeleine McCann disappeared from Praia da Luz in Portugal back in 2007 Credit: AFP 9 Bruckner taunted cops in a letter to claim they cannot find evidence against him 9 Police officers packed up a tent as they ended day one of their search for evidence connected to Madeleine McCann's disappearance Credit: PA The police do not have the evidence to back their accusations against him in the investigation into the toddler's disappearance. And The vile letter emerged as officers desperate to find a forensic link to him flew back to Germany after a fresh, three-day search in Portugal. They had combed scrubland Advertisement READ MORE ON MADELEINE MCCANN German prosecutors are convinced of the Last month, a Sun investigation aired on Channel 4 revealed new bombshell evidence found at We revealed that he wrote horrifying fantasies about abducting and abusing a blonde toddler — and how this would leave him 'in paradise'. He also boasted in online forums about his desire to 'capture something small and use it for days'. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking But, in the verified letter seen by The Sun, Brueckner insists there is no evidence against him. He wrote: 'It is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered. Madeleine McCann cops call off search as trawl of Brueckner's 'rat run' turns up nothing 'Was I or my vehicle clearly seen near the crime scene on the night of the crime? "Is there DNA evidence of me at the crime scene? Are there DNA traces of the injured party in my vehicle? Advertisement 'Are there other traces/DNA carriers of the injured party in my possession? Photos? 'And, not to forget, is there a body/corpse? All no, no no.' He adds: 'You don't have to be a realist like me to predict that the accusations made against me will not hold up and that the investigation will be dropped.' Brueckner — named as a Advertisement He wrote: 'You know, of course, that in Germany you don't have to prove your innocence as a suspect, but that the public prosecutor's office has to prove that you are clearly guilty. 'Even the slightest doubt leads to an acquittal, if there is a court hearing at all.' 9 Portuguese police are searching various sites in and around the resort of Praia da Luz Credit: Dan Charity 9 The locations are around where Brueckner stayed in his car or in camping grounds Credit: Dan Charity Advertisement Brueckner even claims the case against him is built on 'purchased witnesses' and reveals his awareness of his global notoriety. He added: 'Now, my path is paved with misjudgements, so to speak, but from now on the whole world is watching. 'Not even the Braunschweig regional court will now dare to make an obvious misjudgement. 'Even if an attempt is currently being made to create a shocking overall picture of me through purchased witnesses, it is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered with 'yes'.' Advertisement The Police were seen taking fibres by hand while a hole was dug at the site of an apparent tent from around the However, it was unclear whether the search had found anything was found with enough potential value to the case it merited being sent back to Germany for testing. Brueckner had already moved out of his cottage in Praia da Luz when three-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leics, arrived in the resort with Advertisement Those who want to understand how brutal the German justice system is in its attempts to hammer through its own law, even if nothing is true. Christian Brueckner He was living in his car, or In another letter seen by The Sun, Brueckner described how he used his He wrote: 'Do you know that I was a drug dealer at that time in 2007? Investigators know this. 'I bought marijuana in Spain and sold it on beaches in the Algarve. Advertisement 'I was never caught by the police because I followed a few principles. 'If possible, only drive during the day so that my battered hippie bus doesn't attract so much attention, only drive the necessary and most importantly, never provoke the police.' 9 Brueckner has been named as a Madeleine suspect for five years 9 Forensic cops comb scrubland close to where Madeleine vanished aged three from a holiday Credit: Dan Charity Advertisement He added: 'Together with my dog and a lover at the time I enjoyed the 'temporary hippie life'.' The seeming failure of long-shot searches this week to find any traces of Madeleine is the latest in a string of blows for the case. German authorities, who He told this week he Advertisement The pervert was jailed in 2019 for the 2005 rape of an American pensioner just streets from the Ocean Club, where the McCanns stayed in Praia da Luz. In his letters, he whinges he has been framed so he can be scapegoated over the Madeleine case. Key dates in Madeleine McCann's disappearance MADELEINE McCann vanished on May 3, 2007 - and cops believe Brueckner could have been behind her disappearance. Almost 17 years on, no one has been charged in connection. These are the key dates: May 3, 2007 - Kate McCann finds Madeleine missing at 10pm May 14, 2007 - Property developer Robert Murat is named an "arguido" or formal suspect August 31, 2007 - The McCanns launch libel action against Tal e Qual - a newspaper that claimed the couple killed Madeleine September 7, 2007 - Kate and Gerry McCann are made "arguidos" September 9, 2007 - Madeleine's parents return to England with their two-year-old twins October 2, 2007 - Lead detective Goncalo Amaral is taken off the case after criticising British police in a newspaper interview July 21, 2009 - Portuguese police lift the "arguido" status of both Robert Murat and the McCanns May 12, 2011 - On Madeleine's eighth birthday, Scotland Yard launches a review into the case April 25, 2012 - Scotland Yard officers say they believe Madeleine McCann is still alive July 4, 2013 - Two years into a review of the case, Scotland Yard launched its own investigation into Madeleine's disappearance October 24, 2013 - Portuguese police reopen their case after new lines of inquiry are found November 27, 2013 - Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe called for British and Portuguese police to work together October 28, 2015 - Scotland Yard reduces the number of officers working on Madeleine's disappearance March 11, 2017 - September 28, 2017 - November 2017 - May 2018 - Another round of funding, thought to be in the region of £150,000 is granted September 2018 - An November 2018 - More funding, thought to be in November 2018 - UK police June 2019 - Another round of funding, June 2019 - Portuguese police are June 2020 - New prime suspect April 2022 - Brueckner formally made an "arguido" May 2023 - Police Brueckner wrote: 'Right from the start they plotted a miscarriage of justice to make me vanish into thin air. And now half the world knows why.' And he adds: 'I am not exaggerating when I say that 80 per cent of what I have heard from the reports is not true. Advertisement 'A large proportion of these lies are clearly being spread by the investigating authorities. "My words are directed at those who are taking this seriously and are not laughing about it. 'Those who want to understand how brutal the German justice system is in its attempts to hammer through its own law , even if nothing is true.' The Sun investigation aired on Channel 4 revealed the existence of computer hard drives which were vital in to persuading investigators of Madeleine's death. Advertisement Our findings placed Brueckner at key Madeleine search point — the And a document puts him at the location where he allegedly said 'she did not scream' as he discussed her with an associate. In the online message where he German investigators last night remained Advertisement 9 The long-shot searches attempting to find any trace of Madeleine did not bring results Credit: Dan Charity
