RT.com
05 Jun 2026, 21:49 GMT+10
The suspect in Lyhannas disappearance faced multiple sex abuse complaints involving minors in the past, prosecutors say
A body has been found in the search for an 11-year-old girl who disappeared in southwestern France last week, as it emerged that the main suspect had multiple allegations of raping and sexually abusing minors which were dismissed by police.
Lyhanna disappeared on May 29 near the town of Fleurance in the Gers region after she was reportedly seen entering a man's vehicle outside her school.
The discovery was made on Thursday, after around 170 police officers, supported by volunteers, drones, helicopters, and search dogs, spent days combing the countryside around Fleurance. Formal identification is still underway, according to media reports.
The case sparked outrage after prosecutors revealed that the 41-year-old father of two, the suspect, was the subject of several earlier complaints, including rape allegations that were either dropped or dismissed.
"What we're discovering day after day is absolutely unbearable," government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told reporters. "It raises a profound question: what importance do we give to victims' testimonies? How are investigations conducted?"
The man acknowledged giving Lyhanna a ride but told investigators he dropped her off near a local swimming pool - a version of events which prosecutors called inconsistent. He was subsequently arrested and later placed under formal investigation for the alleged kidnapping and confinement of a minor.
Prosecutor Clemence Meyer said the suspect faced several prior complaints. One case involving a teenager was dropped in 2018 after the girl said the relationship was consensual. Another complaint alleging the rape of a child under 15 was dismissed in 2024 due to lack of evidence. A separate complaint filed in August 2025 alleged the rape of a young girl in 2024-2025. Meyer said the investigation was still ongoing when Lyhanna disappeared and that the suspect had not yet been questioned.
Anne-Cecile Mailfert of the Women's Foundation said the case exposes deep failures in France's response to sexual violence.
Mailfert said she was "stunned" and "angry" after learning that the suspect was accused of rape last year, saying another 10-year-old girl found the "immense courage" to report the abuse but "nothing happened."
"The system doesn't work," she said, calling for a comprehensive law to combat sexual violence.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Greek Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Greek Herald.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration has proposed new tariffs of 10 percent or more on imports from dozens of major U.S. trading...
LONDON, U.K.: Nigeria's Dangote refinery has built up a significant surplus of jet fuel and is well-positioned to supply markets around...
When a refrigerated freight train packed with fresh durians and mangosteens arrived at the Chinese rail station of Mohan after journeying...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said consumers could begin changing their spending habits in the second half...
BECOV NAD TEPLOU, Czech Republic: A collection of wine from the late 19th century, which had been hidden for many years under the floor...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Oil prices surged by about $5 a barrel on June 1 as fears of further disruptions to global energy supplies...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Meta's effort to train artificial intelligence systems using detailed records of employee computer activity...
The suspect in Lyhannas disappearance faced multiple sex abuse complaints involving minors in the past, prosecutors say A body has...
(Photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images) No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany advanced to Sunday's French Open final to face...
Madrid [Spain], June 5 (ANI): Ahead of their FIFA World Cup campaign, Spain national team manager Luis de la Fuente said that the team...
Antalya [Turkiye], June 5 (ANI): Iran will head into their FIFA World Cup base at Tijuana after they defeated Mali 2-0 in a friendly...
The $1.6 billion high-end development has sparked anger over the planned location near a protected coastal area Thousands of Albanians...
