Lyhanna case: Justice Minister announces measures following judicial failures
Malfunctions in the handling of a complaint regarding sexual assault on a minor in the Gers department have led to sanctions against gendarmes and an investigation into a magistrate.
Lyhanna case: Justice Minister announces measures following judicial failures
On 23 June, Gérald Darmanin presented the conclusions of an inspection mission dedicated to the disappearance of Lyhanna in the Gers. The report highlights major shortcomings in the handling of a complaint of sexual assault against a teenager, filed in August 2025.
According to the document, the complaint should have been treated urgently. In reality, it was handled as a routine case. For several months, no progress was made in the investigation, whilst the victim reported dozens of rapes. These delays deprived the young girl of any effective protection.
In light of these findings, the Keeper of the Seals announced several decisions: the forced transfer of two members of the gendarmerie and an administrative procedure against a deputy prosecutor at the Auch prosecutor's office. He also requested that the gendarmerie's inspectorate general examine the role of each actor involved.
The Minister affirmed that in a democracy, questioning the responsibility of judges and magistrates is a legitimate approach. He nonetheless refrained from personally targeting the deputy prosecutor, whilst specifying that professional failings would justify sanctions.
These positions irritated the Magistrates' Union. Its leader, Justine Probst, described the intervention as a media manoeuvre. Darmanin countered by defending his analysis, considering that the responsibility of magistrates was undeniable in this matter.
On the political stage, voices from both the left and the far right are demanding his resignation. The Minister responded by detailing the actions undertaken: directives sent, priority processing of sensitive cases, and reinforcement of teams in Toulouse and Auch. He finally ruled out any modification of the 2013 Taubira law, which prevents the executive power from intervening in individual cases, arguing that this preserves the autonomy of the prosecutor's office.
Source: franceinfo
Source: France Info