The main suspect in the case of Madeleine McCann is unable to get a fair trial because prosecutors repeatedly accuse him of abducting the British toddler, his defence claim.
Christian Brueckner's lawyers say his trial for a series of sex crimes - not related to McCann - faces worldwide prejudice following constant allegations he took the toddler in 2007.
The 47-year-old faces charges of three rapes and two sex assaults in the Algarve region of Portugal between 2000 and 2017.
It comes as Defence lawyer Atilla Ayak asked judges to remove one of the prosecutors from the case, which is being heard in the city of Braunschweig, Germany.
The main suspect in the case of Madeleine McCann is unable to get a fair trial because prosecutors repeatedly accuse him of abducting the British toddler, his defence claim
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Brueckner's defence team claim that the prosecution has implied their client killed McCann during statements, press conferences and media interviews.
The convicted rapist has not been charged in connection with the toddler's disappearance and has rejected any involvement.
However, the prosecution hit back, claiming the defence has been using delaying tactics to set back the arrival of a key witness.
During today's hearing, Brueckner's former friend Helge Busching is expected to testify.
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In 2017, Busching told police his friend had "confessed" to the abduction.
During a conversation in a bar, he claimed Brueckner told him: "She didn't scream when I took her."
The witness is expected to tell the court that he found a video tape of him raping an elderly woman and a teenage girl.
Investigators have never recovered the tapes.
Christian Brueckner's defence team claim that the prosecution has implied their client killed Madeleine McCann
ReutersBrueckner is on trial for the rape of a woman in her 70s in her home in the Algarve and the rape and sexual assault of a teenage girl.
He also faces allegations that he raped a young woman at knifepoint in her home in 2004 - an act he is accused of recording on video.
The court also heard that he masturbated in front of a girl at a playground in Messines in June 2017 and faces claims he did the same in front of another girl, on Salema beach, Portugal, in April 2007.
