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France’s Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has ruled out stepping down amid growing outrage over judicial failings linked to the killing of an 11-year-old girl.
The body of Lyhanna was found last week in south-western France, several days after she disappeared near the town of Fleurance on 29 May. The case has sparked nationwide anger after it emerged that the main suspect had previously faced multiple allegations involving minors.
Speaking on Monday, Darmanin insisted his position was not in question as long as he continued to take responsibility.
“The question of my remaining (in government) would arise only if I were not taking responsibility,” he said at a news conference. “Is the Lyhanna case a one-off failure? Or is it that, in a more systemic way, there are many more cases like this? I will tell the whole truth without hiding anything from the French people.”
Apology and nationwide review
The minister had already issued an apology on Friday, describing the handling of earlier accusations against the suspect as a “huge failure”.
The 41-year-old main suspect, Jérome B, the father of one of the victim’s school friends, had previously been formally accused twice of raping a child. A complaint filed in August last year led to an investigation that stalled, with police yet to question him nine months later when Lyhanna went missing.
In response, Darmanin has instructed prosecutors across the country to re-examine around 70,000 outstanding cases involving alleged crimes against children, fuelling concerns that the failures may extend beyond a single case.
“Is this a one-off failure, or is it more systemic?” he said. “I will tell the whole truth without hiding anything from the French people.”
Justice system under strain
The case has intensified scrutiny of France’s justice system, which has long faced criticism over delays and limited resources.
In a letter to the minister, Ludovic Friat, head of a magistrates’ union, warned that prosecutors were overstretched, pointing out that France has significantly fewer prosecutors than the European average.
Figures from the independent commission CIIVISE indicate that only around 7% of complaints relating to the sexual assault of minors result in a conviction, raising further concerns about systemic shortcomings.
Political pressure mounts
The killing has also taken on political weight ahead of France’s next presidential election.
President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged “clear” failings, describing the situation as “unacceptable”.
Opposition figures have seized on the case to criticise the government. Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally, said the tragedy “could have been avoided” and called for accountability, while politicians across the spectrum have pointed to deeper structural problems.
Grief and anger in Fleurance
Hundreds of residents gathered in Fleurance over the weekend for a silent march in Lyhanna’s memory, reflecting both grief and rising frustration.
The case has become a stark symbol of what many see as institutional failures to protect children, with Darmanin now under pressure to deliver answers and reforms, while maintaining he will remain in post to oversee that process.
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