Senior Maddie cop in witness abuse probe

Senior Maddie cop in witness abuse probe
11 September 2007
Evening Herald

Leandro Silva and Leonor Cipriano

As the Portuguese press continued to round on the McCanns, newspaper columns remained silent on a separate investigation into the police officer leading the hunt for Madeleine.

Goncalo Amaral -- head of the Policia Judiciara's investigation -- has been charged over the alleged assault of a woman whose daughter disappeared in similar circumstances to Madeleine three years ago.

Earlier this year, Mr Amaral and four colleagues were made suspects (arguidos) in the beating of Leonor Cipriano during an interrogation following the disappearance of her daughter Joana, who vanished from a village seven miles from Praia da Luz.

Joana's mother and uncle were convicted of murdering and dismembering her after she discovered them having an incestuous relationship. However, Mrs Cipriano claimed she was beaten up in custody under the watch of Mr Amaral and accused the police of setting her up. She has produced graphic photos of her face after interrogation which showed bruising around her eyes.

In June, Mr Amaral and his colleagues were charged, three with torture, a fourth with omission of evidence and a fifth with falsification of documents. It is unclear which offence he was charged with.

Police sources in Portimao, where the Maddie hunt is based, refused to comment yesterday.

Continue Reading... Labels: Cipriano case, Goncalo Amaral, Gonçalo Amaral, Joao Cipriano, Leandro Silva, Leonor Cipriano, Policia Judiciaria

Controversial past

Controversial past of policeman leading the McCann investigation
11 September 2007
The Independent
Amol Rajanin

As the Portuguese press continued to round on the McCanns yesterday, newspaper columns remained pointedly silent on a separate investigation into the police officer leading the hunt for Madeleine.

Despite the recent furore surrounding Kate and Gerry McCann being made suspects in their daughter"s disappearance, Goncalo Amaral - head of the Policia Judiciara"s investigation - has himself been charged over the alleged assault of a woman whose daughter disappeared in similar circumstances to Madeleine three years ago.

Earlier this year, Mr Amaral and four colleagues were made suspects (arguidos) in the beating of Leonor Cipriano during an interrogation following the disappearance of her daughter Joana, who vanished from a village seven miles from Praia da Luz.

Joana"s mother and uncle were convicted of murdering and dismembering her after she discovered them having an incestuous relationship. However, Mrs Cipriano claimed she was beaten up in custody under the watch of Mr Amaral and accused the police of setting her up.  She has produced graphic photographs of her face after interrogation which showed heavy bruising around her eyes.

In June, Mr Amaral and his colleagues were charged, three with torture, a fourth with omission of evidence and a fifth withfalsification of documents. It is unclear which offence he was charged with.

Police sources in Portimao, from where the Madeleine McCann investigation is being conducted, refused to comment yesterday but the disquiet surrounding Mr Amaral overseeing such a prominent case has raised questions over his suitability and pitched the British tabloid press against their Portuguese counterparts.

Mr Amaral is widely respected and generally regarded by the Portuguese papers as a man doing a good job in difficult circumstances. But the emergence of Leonor Cipriano"s accusations and the serious charges have led to some argue he should not be working on a similar case.

The investigation into Joana"s disappearance was marred by the failure to seal off the house in which she was last seen. The police investigating Madeleine"s disappearance have also been criticised for allegedly being slack in sealing off the resort where the McCanns had been staying.

Local journalists close to the case say the charges brought against Detective Amaral are inconclusive.

Continue Reading... Labels: Cipriano case, Goncalo Amaral, Gonçalo Amaral, Joao Cipriano, Leandro Silva, Leonor Cipriano, Policia Judiciaria

Puzzles and mysteries at the very heart of the investigation

Puzzles and mysteries at the very heart of the investigation
Madeleine the questions

10 September 2007
The Times
David Brown

The McCanns 'refused to answer 40 key questions' during a police interview after being made official suspects, it was reported yesterday.

Here David Brown looks at some of the crucial riddles of the past four months

What happened in the four hours before Madeleine was reported missing?

Kate and Gerry McCann claim that while they dined at a restaurant with friends regular checks were made on Madeleine and their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie, at their nearby holiday apartment. Mr McCann told police he saw his daughter asleep at about 9pm. A friend, Matthew Oldfield, entered the apartment at about 9.30pm but did not look in the bedroom Madeleine and the twins were sharing.

It is not known if anyone apart from Mr and Mrs McCann saw Madeleine alive between 6pm and 10pm, when she was reported missing by her mother. The timing is crucial but would be only circumstantial evidence in any prosecution. Although a small child could be killed quickly it would take time to hide a body so that it was not discovered in the biggest search in Portuguese history.

Why did Kate McCann cry out "They've taken her?" when she discovered Madeleine missing?

Portuguese police are reported to find it suspicious that Mrs McCann immediately believed that more than one person had taken her daughter. This could suggest that she knew who had taken Madeleine, perhaps people who thought they were helping Mrs McCann by removing her daughter's body.

Alternatively, it could be an off-the-cuff remark by an hysterical mother or perhaps was misheard or misunderstood in the confusion of the night.

What were the movements of the McCann's friends on the night Madeleine disappeared?

The McCann family had stayed at the Ocean Club resort with three other British couples and their five children, and a single woman. Russell O'Brien, a doctor from Exeter, left the restaurant for half an hour to look after his own daughter, returning shortly before Madeleine was reported missing.

His wife, Jane Tanner, was the only witness to report a man carrying away child from the McCann's apartments. There is confusion about when members of the party arrived at the tapas restaurant and left to check on their own sleeping children.

How much alcohol did the McCanns and their friends drink on the evening Madeleine disappeared?

Kate and Gerry McCann and their friends are reported to have told detectives they shared four bottles of wine, with another two barely touched before Madeleine was discovered missing.

However, it is claimed detectives have recovered a bill showing they downed eight bottles of red wine and six white during the afternoon and evening.

Why was Madeleine's bedroom window and shutter open?

Kate and Gerry McCann told police that the window shutter in Madeleine's bedroom, which could not been seen from the restaurant, had been forced open.

Police tests showed the heavy metal shutter had not been forced up from the outside, so must have been pulled open from inside the room. Assuming that the abductor entered through the apartment's unlocked patio windows, why would he or she not leave by the same way or the use the front door?

Or was the window opened to make it appear as if an intruder had used it to enter the bedroom?

Why did Madeleine's sister and brother sleep through her "abduction"?

Sean and Amelie were heavy sleepers who were not disturbed by their sister's abduction, claim their parents. However, they also slept through their mother's hysterical response to Madeleine's disappearance and the presence of dozens of people who joined the search before being carried out by a female police officer.

Kate and Gerry McCann have strenuously denied sedating their daughter.

Why were the McCanns allowed to leave Portugal if they are suspects?

The Portuguese authorities allowed the McCanns to return to the UK after they agreed to reside only at their home in Rothley and to return for further questioning if necessary.

Portuguese law states that after someone is declared a suspect, police have eight months to conclude the investigation into that individual. If they require further time officers can apply to the courts for a four-month extension.

If the McCanns refused to comply with a request to return to the Algarve for interview, Portuguese police could issue a European Arrest Warrant under which extradition can be carried out within six weeks.

All parties have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

Continue Reading... Labels: Carvi Scandal

Portuguese police framed my wife

'Portuguese police framed my wife'
Andrew Johnson
10 September 2007
Belfast Telegraph

Leandro Silva and Leonor Cipriano

Leonor Cipriano, 36, is serving a 16-year jail sentence following the disappearance of her daughter, Joana, nine, in September 2004, just seven miles from where Madeleine McCann vanished. The investigating officer was Detective Goncalo Amaral, now leading the McCann inquiry. Yesterday, however, Leonor's husband, Leandro Silva, reiterated claims that his wife had been beaten by Mr Amaral during interrogation. Mr Amaral and four other officers were charged over the allegations. Despite this, he has not been removed from the McCann case. "I am worried Kate McCann will be framed, the way it happened to my wife," Mr Silva said.

Continue Reading... Labels: Cipriano case, Goncalo Amaral, Gonçalo Amaral, Joao Cipriano, Leonor Cipriano, Policia Judiciaria

Portuguese police framed my wife

Portuguese police framed my wife
9 September 2007
Independent On Sunday
Andrew Johnson

Leandro Silva and Leonor Cipriano

The husband of a woman jailed in Portugal for killing her child in a case with uncanny similarities to that of Madeleine McCann has spoken of his fear that Madeleine"s parents may be framed for their daughter"s murder.

Leonor Cipriano, 36, is serving a 16-year jail sentence following the disappearance of her daughter, Joana, nine, in September 2004, just seven miles from where Madeleine McCann vanished. The investigating officer was Detective Goncalo Amaral, now leading the McCann inquiry.

Yesterday, however, Leonor"s husband, Leandro Silva, reiterated claims that his wife had been beaten by Mr Amaral during interrogation. Mr Amaral and four other officers were charged over the allegations. Despite this, he has not been removed from the McCann case.

"I am worried Kate McCann will be framed, the way it happened to my wife," Mr Silva said.

Continue Reading... Labels: Cipriano case, Goncalo Amaral, Gonçalo Amaral, Joao Cipriano, Leandro Silva, Leonor Cipriano, Policia Judiciaria

McCann detective charged

McCann detective charged
8 September 2007
Evening Express

The detective leading the McCann investigation was charged over an alleged attack on the mother of another missing girl. Goncalo Amaral is one of five men accused of "scenes of aggression" against Leonor Cipriano. Her nine-year-old daughter, Joana, vanished in September 2004. The little girl's body was never found but Cipriano and her brother, Joao, were charged and convicted of her murder. It is claimed the attack on Cipriano happened when she was questioned. Mr Amaral was "very angry" about the allegations. Three officers were charged with torture in June.

Continue Reading... Labels: Cipriano case, Goncalo Amaral, Gonçalo Amaral, Joao Cipriano, Leandro Silva, Leonor Cipriano

Detective in charge faces claims of assaulting female suspect

Detective in charge faces claims of assaulting female suspect
8 September 2007
Yorkshire Post

Kate McCann's naming as a suspect in her daughter Madeleine's disappearance comes after the detective leading the investigation was charged over an alleged attack on the mother of another missing girl.

Goncalo Amaral, co-ordinator of the Policia Judiciara (PJ) in Portimao, Algarve, is one of five men accused of "scenes of aggression" against Leonor Cipriano, whose nine-year-old daughter, Joana, vanished in September 2004.

The little girl's body was never found but Mrs Cipriano and her brother, Joao, were charged and convicted of her murder. She went missing from her home in Figueira, not far from where four-year-old Madeleine was abducted in Praia da Luz, on May 3.

It is claimed the attack on Mrs Cipriano happened when she was questioned over Joana's apparent abduction.

The Ministerio Publico (MP), or District Attorney, charged three PJ officers in June with torture, a fourth with omission of evidence and a fifth with falsification of documents. The MP did not reveal who had been charged with what offence.

Mr Amaral was "very angry" about the allegations and was considering taking action against the MP, according to a police source.

"He is very professional and has a lot of success in solving cases," the source said. "He is very upset because reporters never speak of these successes."

A Portuguese newspaper reported claims that the beating took place as Mrs Cipriano was questioned without a lawyer. She lodged a formal complaint about her treatment which was followed up by the MP.

Despite the charges, Mr Amaral, who is in his late 40s, was not suspended from work.

News of the charges came as Mr Amaral was forced to defend his taking a two-hour lunch break. He was spotted with PJ spokesman Olegario Sousa at a fish restaurant in Portimao, near Praia da Luz, as the McCanns travelled to Berlin and Amsterdam to appeal for more information about their missing daughter. A diner said he spotted them drinking what looked like white wine and whisky. Asked if it was acceptable for police to drink alcohol in their lunch time, Mr Sousa said: "I don't know, it is very, very sad but a person's free time is for lunch."

Continue Reading... Labels: Cipriano case, Clarence Mitchell, Goncalo Amaral, Gonçalo Amaral, Joao Cipriano, Leandro Silva, Leonor Cipriano, Policia Judiciaria

Leading detective charged

Leading detective charged
8 September 2007
The Scotsman

Leandro Silva and Leonor Cipriano

Kate McCann's naming as a suspect in her daughter Madeleine's disappearance came as the detective leading the investigation was charged over an alleged attack on the mother of another missing girl.

Goncalo Amaral, co-ordinator of the Policia Judiciara (PJ) in Portimao, Algarve, is one of five men accused of "scenes of aggression" against Leonor Cipriano, whose nine-year-old daughter, Joana, vanished in September 2004.

The little girl's body was never found but Cipriano and her brother, Joao, were charged and convicted of her murder. She went missing from her home in Figueira, not far from where four-year-old Madeleine was abducted in Praia da Luz on 3 May.

It is claimed the attack on Cipriano happened when she was questioned over Joana's apparent abduction.

The Ministerio Publico (MP), or District Attorney, charged three PJ officers in June with torture, a fourth with omission of evidence and a fifth with falsification of documents. The MP did not reveal who had been charged with what offence.

Mr Amaral was "very angry" and was considering taking action against the MP, according to a police source.

Continue Reading... Labels: Cipriano case, Goncalo Amaral, Gonçalo Amaral, Joao Cipriano, Leandro Silva, Leonor Cipriano

Cops framed my wife

I fear for Kate...these cops framed my wife for murdering her child
Interview; Leandro Silva
Oliver Harvey
8 September 2007
The Sun
Husband's warning after case with chilling parallel to Maddie

Leandro Silva and Leonor Cipriano

The husband of a Portuguese woman jailed for the murder of her child spoke last night of his fears for Kate McCann. Leandro Silva said his wife had been set up and he believed police would do the same thing to four-year-old Madeleine's mother.

He said:
"I am worried Kate will be framed for a crime she did not commit, the way it happened to my wife."

Leandro also demanded that one of the detectives leading the Maddie investigation should be dropped from the case.

Detective Goncalo Amaral has been accused of being involved with beating Leandro's wife, Leonor Cipriano, during her interrogation over the death of her daughter, Joana, nine.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Leandro said:
"Goncalo Amaral shouldn't still be investigating the McCann case. "I believe he will be proved to be a bad policeman and a bad operator. "I don't believe Kate and Gerry have anything to do with Madeleine's disappearance. "I just don't believe they would do such a thing. After losing Joana I know the pain they are going through. It's terrible."

In news that shocked the world Kate McCann was yesterday declared an "arguida" - Portuguese for suspect -in the hunt for Maddie.

And the story of little Joana Cipriano has some chilling echoes of the British child's disappearance.

Joana vanished on September 12, 2004, just seven miles from the spot where Madeleine went missing on May 3. The innocent, brown-eyed youngster, her chestnut hair cut into a boyish crop, set off from home in the village of Figueira to collect groceries. But she never returned. Like Maddie, it was as if Joana had disappeared off the face of the Earth.

According to a neighbour of the girl, Joana was mature for her age. She explained:

"Instead of playing with other children she spent her time taking care of her two little brothers."

Another neighbour described her as the "Cinderella" of the household, seen at all times of the day and night running errands for her family.

Her mother made public appeals for her daughter's safe return, claiming she had been kidnapped. But authorities started to suspect the couple after villagers noted their allegedly off-hand reaction to Joana's disappearance.

Local shopkeeper Nidia Rochato remembered that Leonor neither cried nor seemed unduly concerned. When asked about this, Leonor is said to have told Nidia she believed her daughter was still alive.

Like Maddie's case, the investigation into Joana's disappearance got off to a bad start. Local Republican National Guard failed to seal off the house where she was last seen.

In November 2005 Leonor, 34, was found guilty, along with her brother Joao, of Joana's murder and is now serving 16 years.

Leandro, right, Joana's stepfather, said:

"Leonor never did anything yet she was arrested. "I am fearful the same thing will happen to Kate McCann. Whenever I watch the news it reminds me of Joana. It is hard. "I just pray Madeleine appears. With Joana the police did a bad job. They didn't spend enough time looking for the child."

A photograph of Leanor's face -black and blue with bruises -was published in Portuguese newspapers. The mum accused police of beating her during an interrogation that took place without her lawyer present or with the knowledge of the public prosecutor.

Goncalo Amaral, head of the regional Judicial Police, is one of five officers accused over the beating. The portly, balding senior cop in his 40s has also been heading the Maddie McCann investigation.

Portugal's Ministerio Publico said in June it had charged three police officers with torture, a fourth with omission of evidence and a fifth with falsification of documents. It did not reveal who had been charged with which offence.

Police sources in Portugal deny Mr Amaral has done anything wrong. Despite the allegations, the detective has not been removed from the McCann case.

They say he is a dedicated and professional officer. Police sources said Mr Amaral was "very angry" about the allegations and was considering taking action against the Ministerio Publico.

A source said:
"He is very professional and has had a lot of success in solving cases. He is very upset because reporters never speak of these successes."

Madeleine's family reacted with disbelief to the claims against Mr Amaral.

The missing girl's aunt Philomena said:
"Just about every country in the world is watching this. What do you think the Portuguese government would do? "Would they have some kind of rogue policeman there? I doubt it. I find it highly unlikely. No way would they have him on such a high-profile case."

Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, were informed of the charges by the Foreign Office on June 10.

A spokesman for the family said:

"They do not remember meeting Goncalo Amaral face to face but naturally they were concerned to hear of the charges."

Supporters of Mr Amaral claim Leonor didn't report her daughter missing for two days.

Prosecutors at her trial claimed Leonor and her brother were found by Joana having sex when she returned with the groceries. They said the pair were afraid Joana would tell what she saw and claim the pair beat the child in order to frighten her but killed her in the process.

Leonor waits behind bars for news on the case against the officers accused of beating her.

Only time will tell if anyone will ever be prosecuted over Maddie's disappearance.

Continue Reading... Labels: Cipriano case, Clarence Mitchell, Goncalo Amaral, Gonçalo Amaral, Joao Cipriano, Leandro Silva, Leonor Cipriano, Policia Judiciaria, The Sun

Madeleine detective faces charges over attack on suspect

Madeleine detective faces charges over attack on suspect
7 September 2007
10:30 AM
Press Association National Newswire
Tim Walsh, PA

Leandro Silva and Leonor Cipriano

Kate McCann's naming as a suspect in her daughter Madeleine's disappearance comes after the detective leading the investigation was charged over an alleged attack on the mother of another missing girl.

Goncalo Amaral, co-ordinator of the Policia Judiciara (PJ) in Portimao, Algarve, is one of five men accused of 'scenes of aggression'' against Leonor Cipriano, whose nine-year-old daughter, Joana, vanished in September 2004.

The little girl's body was never found but Cipriano and her brother, Joao, were charged and convicted of her murder. She went missing from her home in Figueira, not far from where four-year-old Madeleine was abducted in Praia da Luz on May 3.

It is claimed the attack on Cipriano happened when she was questioned over Joana's apparent abduction.

The Ministerio Publico (MP), or District Attorney, charged three PJ officers in June with torture, a fourth with omission of evidence and a fifth with falsification of documents.

The MP did not reveal who had been charged with what offence.

Mr Amaral was 'very angry'' about the allegations and was considering taking action against the MP, according to a police source.

'He is very professional and has a lot of success in solving cases,'' the source said.

'He is very upset because reporters never speak of these successes.''

A Portuguese newspaper reported claims that the beating took place as Cipriano was questioned without a lawyer. She lodged a formal complaint about her treatment which was followed up by the MP.

Despite the charges, Mr Amaral, who is in his late 40s, was not suspended from work.

News of the charge came as Mr Amaral was forced to defend his taking a two-hour lunch break.

He was spotted with with PJ spokesman Olegario Sousa at a fish restaurant in Portimao, near Praia da Luz, as the McCanns travelled to Berlin and Amsterdam to appear for more information about their missing daughter.

A diner said he spotted them drinking what looked like white wine and whisky.

Asked if it was acceptable for police to drink alcohol in their lunch time, Mr Sousa said: 'I don't know, it is very, very sad but a person's free time is for lunch. That is normal to do.

'The persons are in charge in the day, they are working in the day but they must eat and drink - it is normal. I drink what I want to drink when I can drink.''

Continue Reading... Labels: Cipriano case, Clarence Mitchell, Goncalo Amaral, Gonçalo Amaral, Joao Cipriano, Leandro Silva, Leonor Cipriano, Policia Judiciaria, Press Association