THE ACTIONS of the Dutch man arrested in the Netherlands has caused the McCann family “considerable distress”, said Gerry McCann.
Madeleine’s father, commenting on the arrest of the 39-year-old man in Eindhoven, said: “This extortion attempt has caused Kate and I considerable distress.”
He and Kate were particularly pleased that the Portuguese, British and Dutch police worked so closely together to secure an arrest, adding: “Kate and I would especially like to thank the Dutch police for treating this seriously and directing their resources into investigating this outrageous crime.
“It is very encouraging to know that information anywhere in Europe will be rigorously followed up by the police.”
Gerry McCann said the family remains convinced that Madeleine is alive and asked for anyone with any information about her whereabouts to contact the police.
The 39-year old man, who appeared in court in the Netherlands on Friday (July 6), is alleged to have tried to extort two million euros from the McCann family.
It is said that the man, who was detained by Dutch Police on Wednesday, July 4, wanted to give information on the whereabouts of Madeleine in return for half of the reward money on offer, which is around four million euros at the present.
It is understood that the man had sent six emails to Gerry and Kate McCann, saying he knew the whereabouts of Madeleine but would only reveal the information after receiving the money.
The McCanns got in touch with the Portuguese Polícia Judiciária and they immediately contacted the Dutch authorities.
It is believed that the search for the sender of the emails involved the British police.
After being arrested, the man was interviewed by Dutch police and it is reported that he became very angry, to the point of saying that he didn’t believe they would ever have sent him the money.
The Polícia Judiciária said the arrest had only been possible thanks to the close co-operation of the police from the European countries involved.
