Attack on Little Lucia in Barkly: A Suspect Identified... But Uncertainties Remain

The lawyer for the family, Me Deepak Rutnah, has condemned attempts at intimidation.

"There were efforts to suggest that another suspect had attacked Lucia," claims Deepak Rutnah, representing the family of the 6-year-old girl from Résidence Barkly, Beau-Bassin. More than a week after the attack on November 24, a 17-year-old teenager has been formally identified as a suspect by the victim's older sister during an identification parade.

However, the police investigation continues, and several elements appear contradictory. When questioned, the young suspect denies any involvement in the attack. He explains that in the past, he had a relationship with the victim's teenage sister, which he claims he ended after being involved in an investigation for sexual relations with a minor. Since then, he asserts he has had no contact with her.

Yet, this account contradicts testimonies from the family. According to the victim's 14-year-old brother and sister, the suspect is indeed the perpetrator of the attack. The brother even states that he threw a chair at him while he was choking Lucia. Still, the descriptions provided show numerous inconsistencies. The surveillance footage reviewed by the police did not lead to identifying any individual matching these accounts.

These contradictions add to the tensions regarding the authorities' handling of the case. Lawyer Deepak Rutnah criticizes the delays in identification procedures on the day of the arrest and highlights that social media posts have caused confusion. He also reports instances of intimidation against the 14-year-old brother: three individuals on motorbikes allegedly threatened him, prompting the boy's father to contact the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over fears of police involvement.

The attack remains etched in the memory of the community. On November 24, Lucia was at home with her sister and brother when an intruder entered the house. The suspect allegedly choked the girl until her older brother intervened to defend her. The teenager was injured by a knife, while Lucia was admitted to the hospital. Her parents have denounced the lack of security in the neighborhood.

At this stage, the police are trying to untangle the conflicting versions. Meanwhile, the girl is gradually recovering from her injuries.

Poste-de-Flacq Rallies to Support the Girl

On Sunday, November 30, little Lucia and her parents participated in a support march at the Poste-de-Flacq Village Council headquarters. The initiative was organized by the Hero Kids Movement, gathering several children. "Justice for Lucia," they chanted. "We felt the horror; it could have been something worse; we are seeking justice," stated two young girls present.