French government begins disciplinary action over child abuse case failings

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin on Monday said an administrative inquiry would be launched against the prosecutor of the southern city of Auch (Gers) over the handling of complaints and reports of rape and child abuse targeting Jérôme Barella.

The prosecutor in question was tasked with handling the complaint filed in August 2025 by the mother of 11 year-old Rosa, who alleged she had been raped approximately fifty times by Barella.

Barella, who had never been questioned until now, is also the main suspect in the disappearance of 11-year-old Lyhanna, who was found dead earlier this month.

The conclusion of the government report released on Monday found that the 2025 complaint "was not treated as a priority" and, despite its "sensitive nature," "was not directed to the correct gendarmerie department."

The investigation was carried out by the services of the General Inspectorates of Justice (IGJ) and the National Gendarmerie (IGGN).

Upon reading the report, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu wrote on social media that "the protection chain failed", adding that it was "neither a simple administrative malfunction, nor or a lack of resources".

The report, based on around 30 interviews, highlights a series of failures that allowed Barella to avoid prosecution, despite rape cases filed against him months earlier.

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Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the investigation director and the company commander involved in the case, would be transferred and placed in jobs "outside the remit of the judicial police".

As part of the response to the Lyhanna affair, Darmanin had asked the public prosecutors to review by all 70,000 complaints concerning abuse of children by 14 July.

"We have 1,243 people taken into custody in the past week who are directly related to offenses against minors," Darmanin explained to TF1 television, adding that 134 of them were in pre-trial detention for sexual violence.

"There is a before and an after" Lyhanna, he promised.

Darmanin, however, once again sidestepped a question about his potential resignation, a move called for by several opposition leaders.

He reiterated that he had given directives to prosecutors to prioritise cases involving offenses against individuals – particularly child sexual abuse – and that these directives had not been implemented.

Political pressure

Magistrates' unions, for their part, raised concerns about the resources allocated to a judicial system that, in their view, is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cases.

Darmanin also took aim at the "technological lag" of the justice ministry, due to budget restrictions and promised to scan everything "with the help of artificial intelligence" to help speed up the processing of court documentation.

Lyhanna's death continues to fuel a series of public protests demanding better protection for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

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As campaigning begins a year out from the presidential election, political leaders are putting forward their proposals. From mandatory chemical castration, advocated by Bruno Retailleau (LR), to increased funding for the justice system, championed by the left.

There are "perhaps" individual responsibilities, but the justice system is "in an untenable situation," commented Marine Tondelier, leader of the Greens, while the far-right National Rally party's Sébastien Chenu lamented that "Gérald Darmanin is still in office."

The government is under pressure to pass legislation addressing the urgent situation: a so-called "comprehensive" law of 78 articles, supported by the left and the governing coalition.

Lecornu reiterated his intention to prioritise strengthening the child protection bill "at an upcoming cabinet meeting."

(with newswires)