French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has ordered public prosecutors to review 70,000 ongoing allegations of violence against minors by July 14. This directive follows an outcry over the death of an 11-year-old schoolgirl named Lyhanna, whose body was found several days after she went missing at the end of May. The tragedy has exposed cracks in France's judicial system, as the primary suspect had been the subject of several previous complaints, including accusations of sexually abusing children.
Darmanin apologized for the handling of the primary suspect but refused to resign despite the erupting outrage. While the justice ministry has attempted to attribute the judicial lapses to magistrates, critics suggest that the public is not accepting this explanation.
Andrew Smith, a lecturer in liberal arts at Queen Mary's London, stated that Darmanin's decision to stay in office may eventually be taken out of his hands due to the intensity of public anger. Additionally, the systemic failures highlighted by this case could count towards next year's presidential election.