Franceinfo retraces the two weeks following the disappearance of the young girl. Anger and astonishment crossed the country upon discovering the profile of Jérôme Barella, a suspect already targeted by complaints but never worried by the courts.
It is a France in a state of shock that says goodbye to Lyhanna, 11 years old. The funeral of the schoolgirl was held in Fleurance (Gers), Friday June 12, a week after the discovery of her body. The young girl had disappeared on May 29, seen for the last time leaving her college, in Jérôme Barella’s car.
This 41-year-old father, whose eldest daughter was a friend of Lyhanna, was the target of at least four legal proceedings for rape of minors, before the disappearance of the schoolgirl. However, he had never been auditioned. Since then, several complaints have been filed against him. Jérôme Barella has been in provisional detention since his indictment for kidnapping and sequestration on June 1.
The executive quickly recognized flagrant dysfunctions and the Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, presented his “excuses”promising sanctions following an administrative investigation. The day after the discovery of Lyhanna’s body, Emmanuel Macron for his part refuted any lack of resources within the judicial institution.
Franceinfo consulted on Thursday a report from the General Inspectorate of Justice and the General Inspectorate of the National Police, given to Gérald Darmanin when he was Minister of the Interior. The document warned from 2023 of the risk of congestion due to a very large number of procedures, in particular in matters of sexual violence against minors. In two weeks, the disappearance of Lyhanna and the arrest of a suspect already the subject of complaints, caused shock and anger. Judicial bankruptcy, political failure? The country is asking questions and demanding accountability.
The documentary “Lyhanna, l’onde de choc”, broadcast on franceinfo Friday June 12 from 9:05 p.m., is the result of collective work led by Lise Vogel and Lorena Viannay, with the France Télévisions editorial teams.
