The German man accused of kidnapping Madeleine “Maddie” McCann was seen outside prison walls since the first time he was named a suspect in the 17-year-old missing persons case.

According to the Daily Mail, 43-year Christian Brueckner was in a courthouse in Braunschweig, Germany, awaiting a hearing on a case unrelated to Maddie’s disappearance when he was “attacked” by an unidentified person. As the Mirror reports, he was in a holding cell in the courthouse at the time of the alleged assault and suffered multiple broken ribs. Paparazzi surrounded the scene as he was loaded into the ambulance.

German court officials have reportedly declined to comment on the assault, citing an ongoing investigation. According to the Mirror, Brueckner’s attorney was heard arguing with prison guards about video footage that may have captured the attack.

Brueckner was reportedly treated an am emergency room and reported back for the hearing later Monday.

The convicted pedophile and rapist, who has a long criminal history, has not been formally charged in Madeleine’s 2007 disappearance, though prosecutors in multiple counties have said he is the prime suspect in her disappearance — and also that it is unlikely the girl is still alive.