Lyhanna case: suspect's brother indicted for rape, father's past abuse complaint resurfaces
Yannick Barella, brother of the main suspect in the Lyhanna murder case, has been indicted for raping two former partners, while judicial records show their father faced a 2013 rape complaint from his granddaughter.
Brother indicted and released under judicial supervision
Yannick Barella, the brother of Jérôme Barella, the primary suspect in the killing of 11-year-old Lyhanna, was indicted on Wednesday 10 June for the rape of two former partners. Agen prosecutor Olivier Naboulet confirmed the indictment followed an initial court appearance during which Yannick Barella exercised his right to remain silent. The charges include rape of a minor and spousal rape, with one of the complainants aged 17 at the start of their relationship. The alleged offences span from February 2007 to March 2018.
Despite the indictment, the judge of liberties and detention ordered his release under judicial supervision. The prosecutor's office has appealed that decision. During police custody, which began on 8 June in Auch, the accused denied any non-consensual sexual relations with the two women.
Father's 2013 rape complaint and dismissed case
Separately, the father of Jérôme and Yannick Barella, Joël Barella, was the subject of a 2013 complaint for rape and sexual assault filed by his wife's granddaughter. The complainant, now 26, alleged multiple incidents between 2010 and 2013, when she was aged 10 to 13, occurring at her grandfather's home. An investigating judge in Béziers placed him under the lesser status of assisted witness, and he was never formally indicted.
After eight years of investigation, the judge issued a dismissal order on 10 September 2021. The civil party appealed to the Montpellier court of appeal before withdrawing, with the court formally noting the withdrawal on 7 April 2022. Another granddaughter filed a complaint against the septuagenarian in 2018, though the outcome of that complaint remains unknown.
Government response and Senate inquiry
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin again criticised the public prosecutor's office before the Senate Law Committee on Wednesday for its handling of prior complaints against Jérôme Barella. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a new inter-ministerial meeting to review measures for improving the protection of minors. The Senate has opened a commission of inquiry into what Lecornu described as "manifest dysfunctions," while rejecting the notion that the failures stemmed from a lack of resources.
Additional complaint filed in Saint-Brieuc
On 4 June, the day Lyhanna's body was discovered in a silo in Puycasquier, a rape complaint was filed against Jérôme Barella in Saint-Brieuc. The Saint-Brieuc prosecutor confirmed the complaint and its connection to the suspect on 10 June, transferring the file to the Auch prosecutor's office. Jérôme Barella, 41, remains in pre-trial detention at Mont-de-Marsan prison, indicted for the kidnapping and sequestration of a minor under 15.
At the conclusion of his initial court appearance, during which he exercised his right to silence, Yannick B. was indicted.
Lyhanna disappeared on 29 May and was last seen alive in Jérôme Barella's vehicle. Her body was found on 4 June after six days of intensive searches.
