A court in Switzerland has ruled that the co-owner of a bar in the exclusive ski resort of Crans-Montana, where a tragic fire claimed the lives of 40 individuals on New Year’s Day, must remain in custody. The court specified that Jacques Moretti will be detained for a provisional period of three months, pending a review based on mitigating flight risks like a security deposit.
Valais canton prosecutors initially ordered Moretti’s detention following an extensive hearing with him and his wife, Jessica, who have conveyed their sorrow over the fire and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. Jessica Moretti’s legal representatives announced on Monday that her husband would be able to secure his release once the specified conditions are met, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to facing the legal proceedings together.
In the wake of the tragedy, Swiss authorities observed a national day of mourning last Friday, with church bells tolling across the nation in remembrance of the victims. Among the casualties, more than half were teenagers, and an additional 116 individuals sustained injuries, many of them severe.