BY: CECÍLIA PIRES
ROBERT MURAT received today (July 17) a public apology in a session at the High Court of London. The 34-year-old expat who was the first arguido in the Madeleine McCann case is now to receive around 758,151 euros (600,000 pounds) from several British newspapers.
The claim that led to this agreement resulted from defamatory reports related with the Madeleine McCann disappearance that were printed during last year.
At an improvised press conference outside the High Court premises, Robert Murat said this morning that he was “pleased they have admitted the falsity of their allegations and I can start to rebuild my life”.
Mr Murat continued: “I can emerge from this action vindicated with the recognition and acknowledgement that what was said against me was wholly untrue.”
Michaela Walczuch, Robert Murat’s friend and former partner at the real estate advertising website RoMiGen, also stated her need of “putting this all behind” and go on with her life. She remembered how the defamatory allegations of the media caused so much “distress” in hers and her ex-husband’s lives as well as in their “little daughter”.
Robert Murat took legal action against newspapers owned by Associated Newspapers, Express Newspapers, MGN Limited and News Group Newspapers. Sky News was originally reported as also being on the list, but a report from the TV station confirmed they were not involved in this specific legal action.
In the meantime, the Portugal’s Public Prosecutor is expected to announce a final decision on the Madeleine McCann case on Monday, July 21.
Pinto Monteiro, the General Public Prosecutor, announced yesterday afternoon that a “final decision will be released to the public on Monday”. According to speculation from the Portuguese press, the case is expected to be filed.
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