The New Year's Eve tragedy in Crans-Montana, which claimed the lives of 40 people, remains at the center of a major judicial investigation that is shaking Switzerland. After two weeks of pre-trial detention, Jacques Moretti, owner of the Le Constellation bar, will be released: the Sion court ordered his release after posting a 200 franc bail, which has already been paid. The entrepreneur is expected to be released from prison in the next few hours.
Moretti, along with his wife, Jessica Moretti, is being investigated for multiple manslaughter, assault, and arson as part of the investigation opened by the Valais Cantonal Prosecutor's Office into the massacre that occurred on New Year's Eve, when a devastating fire transformed the bar into a death trap. According to initial reports, the flames spread rapidly due to highly flammable sound-absorbing foam inside the bar.
The investigation, however, remains ongoing. This was clarified by Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud, who in an official statement emphasized that, at the moment, only the club's managers are formally under investigation, but did not rule out further developments: "The Public Prosecutor's Office reserves the right to extend the investigation to anyone else who may be criminally responsible." This move leaves the door open to new suspects, including those who were supposed to be overseeing the club's security.
Meanwhile, the number of injured parties is growing: approximately 130 families of the victims and the injured have already filed their cases, assisted by around fifty lawyers, a sign that the litigation is destined to be long and complex.
On the defense front, Jacques Moretti's lawyer, Patrick Michod, denies any accusation of awareness of the risk. In an interview with the Italian-language Swiss radio and television station RSI, he maintains that the sound-absorbing foam "was clearly visible during the inspections carried out by the municipality" and that no irregularities were detected by safety officials. "If my client had known that the material was flammable," Michod states, "he would have voluntarily taken a risk, which is not the case."
The defense attorney also intervened to deny some rumors circulating in the days following the tragedy, which he described as "false," such as Jessica Moretti's alleged escape with the proceeds or alleged cash financing for real estate purchases. "It is necessary to correct these," he explained, "so that the investigation can proceed peacefully."
As for the entrepreneur's criminal record, convicted in 2008 for prostitution and fined in 2016 for undeclared work, the defense considers it irrelevant to the investigation into the massacre. "What happened happened," Michod concludes, "but it has no bearing on the events in Crans-Montana."
Jacques Moretti's release from prison does not close the judicial chapter of one of the worst tragedies to have occurred in Switzerland in recent years. The investigation continues, aiming to determine responsibilities, omissions, and possible failures in controls, while the families of the 40 victims await answers.
Dramatic and angry scenes unfolded outside the prosecutor's office in Sion, Switzerland, upon the arrival of Jacques and Jessica Moretti, owners of the "Le Constellation" restaurant in Crans-Montana, the site of the devastating New Year's Eve fire that killed 41 people. According to the Swiss newspaper Blick, several relatives of the victims...
Crans-Montana. Massacre in Switzerland, diplomatic pressure from Italy to cooperate in the investigation: the ambassador has been recalled. Meanwhile, the Italian judiciary is preparing a task force to be sent to Crans-Montana.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has recalled the Italian ambassador to Rome. His return is conditional on judicial authorities collaborating to determine who is responsible for the fire in Crans-Montana.
Milan – More than just sparkling candles and festive decorations. The investigation into the Crans-Montana massacre has revealed a previously unrevealed detail: illegal fireworks, produced in the province of Naples, were also present inside the venue destroyed by the flames. This is according to the investigation documents into the fire that killed 40 people and injured 116 on New Year's Eve.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
The situation in Crans-Montana is very complicated, especially for the families who have lost loved ones. The issue of safety at the venue must be addressed seriously to avoid similar tragedies in the future. We hope for clarification.