France moves to overhaul justice after Lyhanna murder

An inspection report released in June identified serious procedural failures by the French judiciary and gendarmerie in handling the complaint of Rosa, the mother of 11‑year‑old Lyhanna, who was raped and killed in the Gers in June 2026. The report said the complaint was mistakenly placed in a non‑urgent queue, that the prosecutor failed to flag its urgency, and that delays caused a 13‑day loss of investigative time, allowing suspect Jérôme Barella to remain free until his eventual detention.

Following the report, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced disciplinary action against a magistrate and two gendarmes. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also pledged to accelerate a comprehensive “integral” law against sexual violence, drafted after the Lyhanna case. The bill, introduced by deputy Céline Thiébault‑Martinez in November 2025, contains 79 measures covering prevention, police and judicial reforms, and protection for children. Lecornu said the legislation will be debated in the National Assembly in September‑October, with parts potentially enacted by decree from July onward. The case has intensified public distrust in the justice system, prompting calls for reforms ahead of the upcoming presidential election.