LISBON, Portugal – Police investigating the disappearance of 4-year-old Madeleine McCann searched the villa of their only official suspect Wednesday and questioned and searched the home of an associate of his.
Forensics experts spent their third day at the home of the 33-year-old British suspect Robert Murat. Officials said they were also examining computers and cell phones from the villa but declined to specify what they'd found.
Investigators also took in for questioning a Russian man identified by the media as Sergey Malinka after searching his apartment. Media reports said police removed a computer and other items from his apartment, which is located near a church the McCann's frequented.
Madeleine vanished after her parents left her, and her brother and sister, both aged 2, alone in their room while they went to a tapas bar inside the hotel complex in Praia da Luz, a sunny resort town in southern Portugal.
The child's disappearance has been the top story in Britain this month, leading newscasts and dominating front pages. The girl's family has set up a fund to help find her, and celebrities such as soccer star David Beckham have made public appeals on their behalf.
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Police began investigating Murat on Monday after British journalists reported to police that he'd poked around the crime scene while implying he was part of the investigation. Police released him Tuesday for lack of evidence, but said he remains under suspicion.
Murat, who has not been publicly identified by officials, told British TV station Sky News he was at home with his mother when the girl disappeared, had nothing to do with the abduction and was set up as a "scapegoat."
Police are also investigating whether the girl was abducted by an organized pedophile ring, and possibly taken to neighboring Spain. They called off their ground search for the child last week.
In the House of Commons in London on Wednesday, many British lawmakers wore yellow ribbons, which have become a symbol of hope for Madeleine's safe return.
Chancellor Gordon Brown, expected to take over as prime minister when Tony Blair steps down in June, met members of Madeleine's family and said he would help "in any way he can," a spokesman said.
Philomena McCann, the girl's aunt, said: "Madeleine is a beautiful, caring little girl. I can totally understand why someone might take her — but give her back, she is not yours."
Sky News contributed to this report.
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