26 Apr 2016

Statement






Projecto Justiça Gonçalo Amaral (PJGA) was set up by a group of his friends on 1 November, 2009, in response to the decision by Gerry & Kate McCann to take legal action against Gonçalo Amaral and others.

The McCanns sought not only to suspend sales of the book “Maddie: A Verdade da Mentira”, but to demand the sum of €1,2 million from Dr. Amaral.

A second injunction succeeded in freezing Dr. Amaral's assets and income, denying him the opportunity to defend himself in court.

On 20 November 2009, a defence fund was launched. Its purpose was to help enable Dr. Amaral to fight the legal action that was brought against him by the McCanns.

The fund has remained at all times independent of Dr Amaral. It is beyond reach of any compensation claim. Any funds remaining after all legal expenses are met are to be donated to a Portuguese children's charity.

In April 2015, as the legal action dragged on and costs were becoming difficult to handle, an approach was made to the friends who created PJGA, suggesting that a GoFundMe page be launched to generate additional funds.

PJGA cooperated with Leanne Baulch, who fronted this part of the appeal, to bring this to being on 29 April 2015.

Let us be clear: all donations made to the GoFundMe page, minus the commission deducted automatically by GoFundMe, were paid directly into the one bank account that has been held by friends of Dr Amaral since PJGA was created.

Leanne, having successfully promoted the GoFundMe page, handed over its control to the group of friends who coordinate PJGA, for personal reasons that are unrelated to the legal action. We are hugely grateful for her initiative.

On 21 October 2015, when it was considered that sufficient funds had been raised, it was decided the GoFundMe page would be closed on 28 October 2015.

The fund has been able to support Dr Amaral in his successful appeal against the McCanns' actions and at this moment contains adequate funds for a sound legal defence should the case be brought to Supreme Court. PJGA will continue to support Dr Amaral's legal costs should this happen. The PJGA legal defence fund remains open.

For the purpose of clarity, the suggestions of impropriety by anyone connected with the defence fund are false.

The group of friends and Mr Amaral himself remain eternally grateful for your support in allowing a man to defend himself in court and for justice to prevail.

We will endeavour to keep you informed as and when we receive further information regarding the re-appeal.


8 comments:

  1. Alison Lloyd9:33 pm

    Thank you for the statement, and we will stand by to support Dr Amaral every step of the way until justice is done, for him and for Maddie.

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  2. Jennie Stone11:31 pm

    same for me. thanks for the latest news I will also support Dr Amaral to the conclusion of Justice

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  3. Me too! I'll stand by his side all the way until justice is done, if we have to go to Strasbourg...let's go!!!

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  4. DennyTarot5:12 pm

    Full support from me too ! Disgraceful the way Dr Amaral has been treated .

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  5. Anonymous6:21 pm

    So pleased for Goncalo Amaral , I'm sure everyone would be more than happy to help at anytime but hopefully it won't be needed as I feel it's the end if the McCann road . Well done

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  6. Anonymous10:38 pm

    If you need more help just ask, we are all still here and rooting for Dr Amaral x

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  7. I stand by your side also and will be there to help financially, should the need ever arise again. A true gentleman. Respect!

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  8. Anonymous8:36 pm

    Congratulations Mr Amaral, a well deserved victory. Proud to have been part of the people who supported you all the way through, we did because we never believed the McCann's, who forever show their true colours the way they treat people, and their supporters who carry out vile acts to us to prevent us supporting you, may they get their own justice, but most importantly we believed in you, and that you would be the only person to find a way for justice for that little girl. 'it isn't over'.. wherever this takes you we will be behind you all the way to get justice for yourself and Madeleine. God bless you and your family and friends

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