Portugal police investigate web designer

Updated 23.43 Wed May 16 2007

Keywords: Sergey Malinka, John Prescott, Westminster, Portugal, Robert Murat, Madeleine McCann

Police are investigating a web designer linked to the key suspect in the Madeleine McCann investigation.

Detectives swooped on the home of 22-year-old Sergey Malinka, who designed a website for suspect Robert Murat, in Praia da Luz.

Mr Malinka was brought out by detectives and driven off

After spending two hours inside, the plain clothes officers emerged carrying two hard drives, a laptop and a black bin bag full of items.

Mr Malinka, who neighbours said was Russian and lived in the town for around seven years, was brought out by the detectives and driven off.

During the search a courtyard surrounding the entrance to his apartment where he was believed to live with his parents, was sealed off.

The search followed the announcement by Portugal's Policia Judiciaria (PJ) that they now had a suspect.

Mr Murat, who strenuously denies any involvement in Madeleine's abduction, was taken in for questioning by the PJ two nights ago before being released.

While he was being questioned, police were searching his mother's house just a short distance from where Madeleine was snatched.

Among items said to have been removed was a computer and other communications equipment.

Although police say they do not have enough evidence to charge or even formally arrest Mr Murat, he is the first person they have formally cast as a "Arguido" - suspect.

The search happened just metres away from the village church in Praia da Luz where the McCann family were holding a private prayer service.

The family are said to be concentrating on driving forward their campaign to find Madeleine and continuing with everyday life despite the recent police activity in the village and developments in the case.

Tomorrow it will be two weeks since Madeleine, four, was snatched from her bed in her parents' holiday apartment.

Despite a series of developments in the investigation, there is still no news of her whereabouts although her parents remain convinced she is still alive and are set to remain in Portugal for the foreseeable future.

The latest twist in the case came on the day that relatives of the McCanns launched a fighting fund to pay for international efforts aimed at bringing Madeleine home safely.