Portuguese court hears libel claim against ex-detective who investigated missing British girl

Missing British girl libel case opens in Lisbon

LISBON, Portugal — A Lisbon court is hearing a libel case brought by the parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann against a former Portuguese detective.

Kate and Gerry McCann are seeking €1.2 million (US$1.7 million) in damages from defendant Goncalo Amaral and a ban on a book he published about Madeleine’s disappearance.

The book alleges the child died when she vanished during a family vacation in southern Portugal more than two years ago.

The McCanns say the book defames them by questioning their version of events and discourages the search.

They flew from England to attend the trial’s opening day Tuesday. The proceedings are expected to last several days. A verdict is likely by the end of the month.