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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
National
RFI

Mother sues French state over daughter's rape case as public anger grows

Placard reads: "The Justice [system] is complicit" seen at an unauthorised demonstration outside the French Justice Ministry in Paris on 8 June, 2026. It was organised by Mouv'Enfants and other organisations to demand a law against violence on minors, following the death of 11 year-old Lyhanna.
Placard reads: "The Justice [system] is complicit" seen at an unauthorised demonstration outside the French Justice Ministry in Paris on 8 June, 2026. It was organised by Mouv'Enfants and other organisations to demand a law against violence on minors, following the death of 11 year-old Lyhanna. AFP - GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT

The mother of a girl who had lodged a rape complaint against the chief suspect in the Lyhanna murder case is to sue the French state and the justice minister, her lawyer said on Tuesday. Thousands took to the streets nationwide on Monday evening to protest at failings to protect child victims of violence.

The mother of a 10-year-old girl, who filed a complaint in 2025 against Jérôme Barella for the rape of a minor, will bring a lawsuit against the French state for gross negligence, and against the Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, her lawyer Pierre Debuisson told RTL radio on Tuesday.

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