Why is the portuguese police so slow to tell us what they know about Madeleine?

Question

They have said she is probably dead, so why aren't they saying how they came to that conclusion? at least by telling the parents?

Answer 1

Daft as it seems it is against Portuguese law to divulge what they know about the case...we are so used in the Country to the press virtually making things up about an investigation and having a trial by media it is hard to understand another system, and so we think that the Portuguese police are doing nothing...I am sure they are working hard and all hopefully will be revealed in the end.

Answer 2

As stated in a previous answer;

The way the portuguese law works is that they cannot divulge certain information pertaining to investigations. This means that in certain cases they may not even be allowed to inform the parents.

Think on it this way HYPOTHETICALLY. Say the whole theory about Gerry and Kate killing Madeleine was true and that they have concealed the body. Any information the police gave them may allow them to keep one step ahead and further conceal the body. While we may not agree with their policing I can see some logic in it.

This is not an attack on the McCannS before you all jump on me. I said HYPOTHETICAL.

Answer 3

The reason they haven't told the parents is because although they are not suspects at the moment they could be in the future. The Portuguese police don't like to say very much, it's just the way they do things, they feel it may hinder the investigation to give out too much detail.

Answer 4

Portugal does not unlike British police see it fit to tell the press anything. Wish the Irish and British police would learn from a European nation for a change rather than what the British press seem to want is Portugal to change so they can write stuff in the gutter press and crucify people before they get to trial.

Answer 5

Some countries don't hold press conferences every two minutes about who has blinked farted and scratched their ****. it's the way they do it in Portugal.

Personally I wish the UK was one of them. It would cut out a lot of media hysteria and pointless speculation about all manner of things not just this. Ultimately what has it got to do with us? There is no requirement or need for us to be informed of the progress of an investigation. It's just noseyness!

Answer 6

Maybe it was to get a reaction. Since day one of the case it has been very choppy with the output to the media. They have reason for everything especially now that other authorities are more involved, only a bit of time will tell what's going on. I think things have gone a different direction possibly and they are trying to take a different approach. The parents from here on will more than likely be told very little I think.

Answer 7

One presumes it is because either
a - their secrecy rule (stupid)
b - they actually dont know (which is far more likely)
c - if they had anything they would have made the mccanns 'suspects' or whatever which indicates they have no evidence of it

They are looking more incompetent by the day - I think they are getting frantic and blaming anyone they can

Answer 8

It is a Police investigation not a media investigation. Beleive it or not this case has NOTHING to do with the public although with the media invasion these days nobody is innocent of anything!

Answer 9

I think the police knows what happened and who did it but they need really consistent evidence to prove and accuse without leaving any doubts. If they spoke now, the investigation could be jeopardised.

Answer 10

It may affect the investigation if the y were to divulge any information, even to the parents. They must be 100% sure of the facts they have before resleasing any statements.