It’s unclear whether the ankle bracelet works
Suspect Maddie is allowed to leave Germany
Updated 11/10/2025 – 16:49Reading time: 2 minutes
Christian B. is currently living in a tent. Now his life situation can change fundamentally: the suspect in Maddie’s case is allowed to travel abroad.
The Higher Regional Court in Celle, Lower Saxony, has annulled the order issued by the Hildesheim Regional Court. Therefore Christian B. can move abroad at any time. The regulations apply “from now on,” a spokesperson for the Regional High Court told t-online: “There are currently no restrictions.”
The responsible Senate revoked the initial instruction that B. should stay in Germany with a resolution of 28 October. The newspaper “Bild” first reported this at the weekend, and on Monday the Regional High Court said in a statement: The requirements constitute an interference with the fundamental right of freedom of movement of EU citizens.
Following B.’s successful appeal, the Hildesheim Regional Court now has to make a new decision regarding its housing and residence regulations. According to the Regional High Court, a temporary ban on leaving the country “to regulate technical matters” or a ban on staying in certain areas can also be imposed.
This formulation clearly addresses other requirements given to B. and was confirmed by the Regional High Court. Therefore B. must maintain contact with probation services and the behavioral control office and wear an electronic ankle bracelet.
But it’s unclear whether the ankle bracelet will work without problems overseas. A spokesperson for the Regional High Court was initially unable to provide any information regarding this on Monday. He was referring to the Joint Electronic Monitoring Center of America (GÜL), which has not responded to requests from t-online.
It is known that there have been difficulties in the past: in 2017, for example, there was a threat from Islamist groups who boarded planes unnoticed despite being shackled. No signal was received at the monitoring center for hours, and the next location could only be reached at Athens airport.
B. recently served a prison sentence, sentenced in 2019 by the Braunschweig Regional Court, essentially for serious rape. The multiple-convicted sex offender has been in the spotlight over the past few years, especially as German investigators suspected him of murder in the disappearance of Madeleine “Maddie” McCann.
Madeleine McCann disappeared without a trace from her parents’ holiday apartment while on holiday in Portugal in 2007 when she was three years old. Despite years of investigation and widespread media attention, his fate remains unknown. Defense attorney Christian B. spoke of a “massive pre-conviction campaign” in light of public suspicion.
One thing is certain: As of now, there are no fees charged at the complex. The principle of presumption of innocence applies. B. initially moved to an apartment in Neumünster in September after leaving Sehnde prison. After receiving protests from residents, he moved again and stayed at a different hotel. According to the newspaper “Bild”, he is currently traveling through northern Germany with a tent and sleeping in forests and parks.
