Police focus Madeleine search on Praia Da Luz area
It was confirmed today that the investigators in the case of missing British girl Madeleine McCann have been focusing attention on white vans in the area of Praia Da Luz.
Although there is an official news blackout while the investigation is under way, a source said that plain clothes officers dressed in beach gear had been operating in the resort making inquiries.
Vans have been taken to a police station and searched by sniffer dogs.
The Sunday Times reported today that a new detailed portrait had been compiled of a man with a white van seen loitering outside the apartment where the McCanns had been staying when Madeleine was snatched.
While there has been no official comment, the source said that some form of line of inquiry surrounding white vans was actively being pursued as recently as yesterday.
Meanwhile it was reported in the Portuguese media today that the McCann’s friends, who had been on holiday with them and stayed on to offer their support, could be set to take part in a special court hearing as early as tomorrow.
The procedure, known as “memory for the future”, is similar to a mock trial in which the friends would give evidence as witnesses now against a future defendant.
Local lawyer Artur Rego said a judge would preside over any such hearing, held in private, asking the witnesses questions which would form part of the real trial one day.
He said the hearing was used only in exceptional cases such as this where a large group of witnesses are foreign.
“Witness statements are taken live in the court hearing in the presence of the judge in exceptional cases if for some reason the witnesses can not attend the eventual trial they can make what is called ’memory for the future’.
“It is recorded by video and kept sealed then released during the hearing.
“If somebody is ever charged then this statement can then be unsealed and disclosed for the judge who is going to hear the case.
“It has the same value as witness statements delivered live in the trial.”
He said that it was unlikely the McCanns themselves would take part in the process which could last several days but allow their friends to go home.
He added that the use of the procedure would not preclude the same people returning to Portugal one day to give evidence in person instead.
