Russian man focus of Madeleine inquiry

Russian man focus of Madeleine inquiry
PRAIA DA LUZ - A Russian man is now being treated as a suspect in the kidnapping of four-year-old Madeleine McCann, Portuguese media reported today. Police detained the man in Praia da Luz on Wednesday afternoon at his apartment and later took him in for questioning.

Two computers are also thought to have been confiscated by the police. The Russian has been identified as one Sergy Malinka, a 22-year-old who helped Robert Murat build a property website called Romigen.

Malinka refuted rumors that he was involved in Madeleine's kidnapping. "I have just had all my residency papers approved and checks are always made for criminal convictions. I have none whatsoever," he said, adding that he had enjoyed working for Murat's website and had last seen him three months ago.

Madeleine was snatched while her parents were having dinner at the Algarve resort on May 3. Since then an intense search has been mounted for the child, but no firm clues have been obtained although rewards totaling over 2.5 million pounds have been announced.