On Wednesday morning, Luxembourg State Prosecutor David Lentz joined our colleagues from RTL Radio to discuss how the judicial authorities handle child abuse cases in the Grand Duchy, against the backdrop of the high-profile "Lyhanna" case in France.
Lyhanna is the 11-year-old girl who was killed several weeks ago by a paedophile – an individual known to French authorities since 2017 following multiple reports and the subject of a rape complaint filed last year. Despite this, he had never been interrogated by French judicial officials. The case has provoked widespread anger and disbelief in France, with President Emmanuel Macron himself citing "blatant dysfunctions." Rallies have continued to take place across the country.
Many observers and members of the public have suggested that Lyhanna might still be alive had victims been heard more promptly and had proceedings not dragged on for so long. In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Luc Frieden, the domestic violence non-profit "La voix des survivant(e)s" warned that it would be an illusion to think Luxembourg remains immune to such failings.
State Prosecutor Lentz declined to comment in detail on the Lyhanna case on Wednesday morning, citing a lack of complete information.
In Luxembourg, the number of reported abuse cases has nearly doubled between 2021 and 2025 – from 1,021 to 2,206. The police and public prosecutor's office are processing hundreds of files each year, with the total continuing to rise.
Asked whether Luxembourg has sufficient resources to manage this growing caseload, Lentz acknowledged that politicians have made "very great efforts" in recent years. At the public prosecutor's office, 15 magistrates are now exclusively assigned to the "youth protection" section – up from just three in 2016, when Lentz himself began his career there. Recruitment is expected to increase further in the coming years.
Lentz also stressed the importance of reporting any suspicion of abuse to the police immediately. He cautioned against conducting personal investigations or interviewing children in ways that could influence their testimony, warning that such actions risk compromising subsequent statements made to specialised criminal investigation officers and during potential court proceedings. In the worst case, he added, the victim's credibility could be called into question.
Lentz acknowledged that criticisms raised by non-profits such as "La voix des survivant(e)s" regarding excessively long delays within the justice system are justified. He attributed the delays largely to procedural requirements at both the police and public prosecutor's office levels. In this context, the State Prosecutor welcomed ongoing political efforts to simplify certain procedures – notably the proposed abolition of certain appeals. The public prosecutor's office has also expressed support for the introduction of a fast-track procedure.
Justice Minister Elisabeth Margue indicated this week, in response to a parliamentary question, that a fast-track procedure for simpler cases should be in place as early as this summer.
According to Lentz, there are currently three times as many files as available hearing slots. However, he rejected suggestions that delays are being exacerbated by the judicial recess. "It is a period of reduced service," he said, but work continues during this time and hearings do take place. The real bottleneck, he noted, lies with administrative staff, who – unlike magistrates – have not seen their numbers reinforced.
"Zero risk does not exist," the State Prosecutor stressed on Wednesday morning, while assuring that "everything is being done to avoid this type of situation." He pointed to significant efforts made in recent years to reinforce relevant services, train personnel, and "lift the taboo" surrounding abuse. As a result, he noted, unofficial figures suggest that reported cases are lower in Luxembourg than abroad – a trend he hopes will continue despite the Lyhanna affair. "We must not give up when something goes wrong," he said. A victim should never feel ashamed, he added, and reporting abuse should be "the most normal thing in the world."
