France: Lyhanna Murder Protests Target Justice Minister Over Police Failings
Tens of thousands of people across France have called for the resignation of Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, as public anger mounts over the murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna. The alleged perpetrator, 41-year-old Jérome Barella, had been reported to police for child sexual abuse in August, yet remained unquestioned for nine months.
Police Inaction and Official Scrutiny
Lyhanna’s body was discovered last Thursday, approximately 10km from Fleurance, six days after she was last seen. Barella, a friend’s father, was apprehended three days later but denies involvement, refusing to cooperate with investigators. It has since emerged that Barella was named in multiple other alleged sexual abuse cases, which, according to critics, should have prioritised the earlier complaint.
Rosa’s mother, whose report against Barella last August included corroborating medical evidence of abuse, is now pursuing legal action against the state and Minister Darmanin. Darmanin has acknowledged “shocking and unacceptable failings” but has rejected calls for his resignation. He stated before a Senate committee that the issue was not a lack of resources but a failure to prioritise rape allegations, asserting that authorities had “all the elements” to act.
The Higher Magistrature Council has criticised the “discredit being thrown on thousands of magistrates,” citing inadequate financial and manpower resources within the justice system. However, Darmanin maintains that prioritisation, rather than resources, was the critical omission. He has instructed state prosecutors to review some 70,000 pending child sexual abuse complaints, while Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has pledged to stiffen child protection laws to allow for potential life sentences for serial rapists.