A Swiss court has ruled that Jacques Moretti, the co-owner of a bar in the luxurious ski destination of Crans-Montana where a fatal fire broke out on New Year’s Day, resulting in the death of 40 individuals, will be kept in custody. The court specified that Moretti’s detention will be for a provisional duration of three months, subject to reassessment if preventive measures against flight risks, like a security deposit, are implemented.
Following an extensive hearing with Jacques and his wife Jessica, Valais canton prosecutors initially ordered his detention on Friday. The couple has conveyed their sorrow over the tragic incident and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
In a statement, Jessica Moretti’s legal representatives affirmed that once the specified conditions are met, her spouse will be able to regain his liberty in accordance with the court’s decision. They emphasized the couple’s unwavering commitment to participating in the legal proceedings together.
Swiss authorities marked the previous Friday as a national day of mourning, with church bells tolling across the nation in remembrance of the victims. Over half of the deceased were teenagers, while an additional 116 individuals sustained injuries, many of them severe.
