Madeleine case IT man: I'm innocent

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Sergey Malinka, 22, designed a website for Anglo-Portuguese man Robert Murat, who was named this week as the first "arguido" or suspect in the case.

Mr Malinka, who moved to Portugal from Moscow seven years ago, was taken to Portimao police station on Wednesday night and questioned overnight.

He said on Wednesday he was interviewed as a witness and not a suspect, and stressed he was "completely" innocent and had no criminal record in any country.

Mr Malinka added: "I've invested seven years of my life in this country trying to succeed, and suddenly in one hour it's all fallen apart."

He is hoping to make a formal statement to the media later after he has picked up computer equipment that police examined on Wednesday night.

Mr Murat's home in the village of Praia da Luz, just yards from the spot where Madeleine was abducted two weeks ago, has been the centre of intense police activity.

Mr Murat, who strenuously denies any involvement in Madeleine's abduction, was taken in for questioning by detectives earlier this week 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 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 classed as a suspect.