Funeral of Liana, 11, in France: hundreds pay tribute to her
Hundreds of people gathered in Fleurance for the funeral of Liana, 11, who was abducted and murdered in south-west France, as the investigation continues into the suspect's profile.
Funeral of Liana, 11, in France: hundreds pay tribute to her
The funeral of Liana, an 11-year-old schoolgirl who was abducted and murdered in south-west France, took place on Friday 12 June at the cemetery in her municipality, in the presence of several hundred people. The death of the young girl provoked deep emotion throughout the country.
The white hearse entered the cemetery in Fleurance, approximately 100 kilometres west of Toulouse, shortly after 2:30 p.m., followed by a large crowd that had gathered in front of a photograph of the child. The blue coffin was then carried from the funeral home to the burial site, where only close relatives were able to pay their final respects.
During the ceremony, the mayor of Fleurance, Grégory Babadot, spoke. "We do not say goodbye to a symbol, to a cause, but to an 11-and-a-half-year-old child: Liana," the elected official declared.
In front of the school where the girl was last seen on 29 May, as she got into the vehicle of the prime suspect, dozens of bouquets of flowers, candles and soft toys had been left. A plaque bears the inscription "Let us pay tribute to Liana and to all children who are victims."
The schoolgirl's body was discovered on 4 June in an agricultural silo in the same region.
At the call of the association of mayors of France, citizens also gathered in front of town halls in neighbouring communes. Motorcyclists formed a procession to Fleurance to pay tribute "to little Liana who left far too soon."
In the investigation into the child's death, the prime suspect is Jérôme Barrela, a 41-year-old father whose eldest daughter was a friend of Liana. He was arrested by police the day after her disappearance and was remanded in custody following the opening of an investigation for abduction on 1 June.
Liana's death caused shock in France following revelations concerning the profile of Jérôme Barrela, who had never been convicted nor even prosecuted despite reports of sexual assaults on minors.
Source: ERT News
Source: ERT