The key suspect in the Madeleine McCann case has given his first interview as a new search is underway.

Christian Brueckner, a suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, has come out as police renew their hunt for the missing toddler.

The British three-year-old disappeared from her bed while on vacation in Portugal with her family in 2007, and what happened to her has been a mystery ever since.

Brueckner is now incarcerated for the rape of a 72-year-old lady in Praia da Luz in 2005, which he denies, and is scheduled to be freed in September if no more charges are filed.

The 48-year-old man, who is currently jailed, has spoken out for the first time from his cell in Sehnde prison while detectives are searching for the missing youngster in a new location in Portugal.

Ulrich Oppold, a journalist from German broadcaster RTL, visited Brueckner in Germany and discussed his likely upcoming release, with the prisoner stating that he is most looking forward to a steak and beer.

He also allegedly stated that if he is released from jail, he will leave Germany for a nation without an extradition treaty and go into hiding, claiming that he is “as well-known as a colorful dog.”

The man who was convicted of sex crimes commented, “The fact that I have been in prison for many years for something that I cannot have committed and that, therefore, through the participation of the media, half the world considers me a cruel rapist.”

His attorney, Philipp Marquort, indicated earlier this year that his client was considering migrating overseas and perhaps undergoing cosmetic surgery.

Brueckner also told the reporter that he was ‘assaulted’ by a prisoner and that ‘at least one rib was shattered.’

“I am currently in my cell 24 hours a day. I do not go out. “Not even for food,” he said.

Oppold also stated after the interview that the prisoner appeared ‘intelligent,’ if not ‘a bit remote.’

“I believe he had prepared himself well for our talk. He understood exactly what he wanted to say and, more importantly, what he didn’t want to say,” he explained.

If detectives are able to connect Brueckner to Maddie’s disappearance in any way, he may face additional charges and remain in prison.

German police have ordered a four-day search near Brueckner’s former home, near the tourist town of Praia da Luz, where Maddie went missing 18 years ago.

Despite being labeled the primary suspect in the case in 2020, Brueckner has yet to face charges.

When the journalist came, Brueckner declined to answer any questions about Maddie after consulting his lawyers.

He denies any participation in her disappearance.

Around 30 cops from Germany’s FBI, the BKA, arrived in the Algarve resort this week, as Portuguese officials blocked off dirt roads to begin a new search.

It is the region’s first serious search in more than two years, with a fresh focus on wells, water storage tanks, and ruins spread across 21 parcels of private land encompassing around 120 acres, according to The Daily Mail.

Investigators are also apparently intending to use radar technology to probe beneath the Earth.