The gathering planned for Monday evening at 19 p.m. in Place Vendôme, in front of the Ministry of Justice in Paris, in tribute to 11-year-old Lyhanna, has been banned by the Paris Police Prefecture. The demonstration was to take place in the heart of the judicial district, where several groups intended to denounce the shortcomings observed in the handling of complaints against the main suspect.
A relocated assembly point
The ban did not put an end to the Parisian tribute. A static gathering was ultimately authorized in Place Louis-Lépine, on the Île de la Cité, in front of the former courthouse. The rallying cry remained the same: to pay tribute to the schoolgirl and demand answers about the failings that preceded her death.
A child disappeared after leaving school.
Lyhanna disappeared on Friday, May 29th in Fleurance, Gers. The 11-year-old was last seen around 15 p.m., after leaving school, getting into the car of a man she knew, the father of one of her friends. This 41-year-old man was arrested and charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment.
The body was found in an agricultural silo
After several days of searching, Lyhanna's body was discovered on Thursday, June 4, in an abandoned agricultural silo in Gers, about fifteen kilometers from Fleurance. Identification was confirmed by DNA comparison. The exact cause of death was not established in the initial findings.
The investigation is now open for murder.
Following this discovery, a judicial investigation was opened for the kidnapping, confinement, and murder of a minor under the age of 15. The main suspect remains in custody. He denies any involvement in the child's death and benefits from the presumption of innocence.
Previous complaints at the heart of the anger
The case has sent shockwaves across the country because the suspect had already been the subject of several accusations or complaints concerning sexual violence against minors. A complaint filed in August 2025 for the rape of a minor had not led to his being questioned before Lyhanna's disappearance.
The Minister of Justice acknowledges a failure
Gérald Darmanin acknowledged a failure of the judicial system. and apologized to Lyhanna's family. This Monday, the Minister of Justice convened the public prosecutors and asked them to review complaints concerning child victims, approximately 70,000 cases to be examined by July 14th.
Fleurance already standing for Lyhanna
On Sunday, a silent march brought together approximately 6,000 people in Fleurance. Residents, relatives, members of the public, and elected officials marched in silence to pay tribute to the child. On Monday evening, the mobilization continued in Paris and outside numerous courthouses across France.
