Key facts
- French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu convened ministers to discuss the case of missing 11-year-old Lyhanna.
- Lyhanna was reported missing on May 29 after leaving her middle school.
- A suspect arrested in the case had faced multiple complaints of sexual assault against children.
- Political figures have used the case to highlight alleged judicial dysfunction.
- The justice and interior ministries will jointly investigate failures in handling complaints against the suspect.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu convened a meeting with the interior minister, justice minister, and other officials to address the case of an 11-year-old girl, Lyhanna, whose disappearance and subsequent death have ignited public outcry. Lyhanna was reported missing on May 29 from her school in Fleurance. The suspect arrested in connection with her disappearance is the father of one of her classmates and had previously faced multiple complaints of sexual assault against children. Political figures from both the right and left have cited the case as evidence of judicial dysfunction and a failure to protect children. The mayor of Fleurance expressed that the situation represents a 'real dysfunction of the state.' The justice and interior ministries have announced a joint investigation into the handling of complaints against the suspect, including a never-executed request for an investigation by a local prosecutor's office. The findings of this investigation are expected to be made public, and action will be taken.