matti

Constant promotion of their 'victim' status :

They are silenced by Portugal's archaic laws. They constantly allude to their fears and frustrations at not being able to speak.

The fact that they are designated as arguidos hurts their child and their suffering is increased. If people do not believe they are innocent, nobody will look for their child.

Their relatives given full access to press to explain how much they are suffering. Here is how they plant the negative ideas about 'foreign police', the UK police involvement is never really alluded to. These foreign police are the ones who will cut corners, stop searching for their child and even try and plant evidence. This appeals to the British view of the underdog, the McCanns are to be seen as heroic, valiantly battling a primitive country's legal system. Enter Parsons et co. to reinforce the big lie.