Murder of Lyhanna, 11, enrages France and turns up heat on government
Key takeaways
- There is fury because the suspect – 41 year-old Jérome Barella – had been reported to police last August by the mother of a 10-year-old called Rosa, who alleged he had sexually abused her daughter on several occasions.
- Medical evidence confirmed she had been abused, and yet not once in the nine months since the complaint was filed was Barella questioned by investigators.
- In the eyes of an angry French public, had the suspect been at least contacted by police he would have known he was being watched and that may have prevented Lyhanna's death.
Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.
Hugh Schofield In Paris AFP via Getty Images Tens of thousands of French protesters have taken to the streets in anger at the killing France's government is under mounting pressure over the murder of an 11-year-old girl whose alleged killer had several times been denounced to police as a sex offender.
More than 60,000 people took part in protests across the country on Monday following the killing of Lyhanna, many demanding the resignation of Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin – one of the senior members of the government.
There is fury because the suspect – 41 year-old Jérome Barella – had been reported to police last August by the mother of a 10-year-old called Rosa, who alleged he had sexually abused her daughter on several occasions.