Lola Daviet buried in emotional ceremony as family decry use of 12-year-old's murder for 'political goals'
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PARIS, FRANCE: Lola Daviet, whose killing has spurred political debate in France, was laid to rest on Monday, October 24, after a homeless lady was arrested and charged with the 12-year-old's tragic death. President Emmanuel Macron branded the savage attack and murder of the small girl as "evil" after her body was discovered earlier this month in a trunk in Paris.
Dahbia B has been accused of raping and torturing Lola Daviet before killing her on Friday, October 14. The 24-year-old was born in Algeria and arrived legally in France in 2016 with a student residence permit. Intercepted on August 21 at a French airport for not having a valid residence permit, she was issued an obligation to leave the French territory. As she had no criminal record, she was not placed in an administrative detention center but was released and given 30 days to return to Algeria.
Following the murder, conservative and far-right critics allege that his government was not doing enough to stop illegal immigration, but ministers hit back that such criticism was improper.
Lola's family had demanded that political mudslinging cease and that the young child be buried in Lillers, in her native region of northern France, with "respect and dignity," Daily Mail reported. When her white coffin, decked with white flowers, was taken into the neighborhood church, her parents, her brothers, other family members, and a crowd, including Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, an ally of Macron, were present.
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One of Lola's older brothers, Thibault, spoke at the ceremony and stated, "You left us much too soon. I didn't have time to tell you how much I love you." "Lola, who was 12 years old, not only died too young but under unbearable circumstances," said Bishop Olivier Leborgne, who officiated the ceremony. Many mourners followed the ritual from outside the church, where loudspeakers had been placed up.
Sabine Vizenski, one of the mourners gathered near the church stated, "My grandchildren, who are the same age as Lola, wanted us to be here." Another mourner, Thomas Maillot, who drove half-hour to pay his respects, stated, "There are no words to express what was done to that young girl. It's very important for me to be here."
Speaking of the "atrociousness of the crime" on Friday, Macron called it an act of "great evil." He complimented Lola's family for acting in a "dignified" manner, saying they deserved "first and foremost the respect and devotion of the people."
However, the suspect's description has drawn blistering rebuke from the right and sparked one of the most acrimonious political arguments since Macron's reelection in May. The 24-year-old was charged on Monday with rape and murder of a minor aged under 15, along with torture and abuse.
The indictment of the 24-year-old suspect happened after the victim’s remains were reportedly discovered in the inner courtyard of a building in the suitcase with "1" and "0" marked on her chest. The little girl’s feet and wrists were reportedly tied and her face was taped. Later, a post-mortem report released on Saturday, October 15, stated that her cause of death was asphyxiation after a physical attack. The examination also concluded that a knife was used to mutilate her body.
Lola's parents demanded an end to "any use of their child's name and image for political goals" immediately in a statement given to AFP on Friday so they could "honor the memory of their child in peace, respect, and dignity."