ALBAWABA - The killing of an 11-year-old girl allegedly at the hands of a sex offender in France has ignited fury and massive protests, in which over 60,000 people participated, the BBC reported on Tuesday.
The alleged killer of Lyhanna had several times been reported to police as a sex offender, but unfortunately, he was at large.
The BBC wrote that over 60,000 people marched across the country on Monday following the killing of Lyhanna; many called for the resignation of Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin over the killing of the French girl.
President of the Gers Chamber of Agriculture and member of the Coordination rurale (CR) union Lionel Candelon covers the eyes and mouth of a sculpture during a demonstration outside the courthouse. Photo by VALENTINE CHAPUIS / AFP
Why did Lyhanna's killing cause much fury?
French were angered after discovering that the suspect, 41-year-old Jérôme Barella, was accused by a mother of a 10-year-old called Rosa of raping her little daughter.
According to the media, the mother of Rosa reported to the police last August that the suspect had allegedly sexually abused her daughter on several occasions. However, despite medical evidence, Barella was never called or questioned by investigators in France.
What happened with Lyhanna?
According to the French police, Lyhanna went missing after leaving school. The body of the little girl was found last Thursday [six days after her disappearance on May 29] at a farm around 10 km away from the town of Fleurance in south-west France.
A demonstrator holds placards with an image depicting Lyhanna, an 11-year-old girl found dead on June 4 after being reported missing on May 29 in southwestern France. Photo by VALENTINE CHAPUIS / AFP
The suspect, Barella, who is the father of Lyhanna's friend, was taken into custody three days after her disappearance. However, he denied any involvement in her death.
Lyhanna was seen riding in his car after leaving school; he has admitted taking her in his car to a local swimming pool, but when he was asked by an investigating judge, Barella refused to answer any questions.
His name has also been linked with several other cases of alleged sexual abuse in recent years.
