 "Italy protests bail decision, recalls ambassador after Swiss bar owner’s release")
Italy on Saturday lodged a formal protest against Switzerland over the release on bail of the owner of a Swiss bar where a deadly New Year’s Day fire killed 40 people, recalling its ambassador as the decision triggered sharp criticism in both countries.
Jacques Moretti and his wife Jessica, owners of the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, are under investigation for negligent homicide and other offences linked to the blaze, which also injured more than 100 people, many of them teenagers. Moretti was detained on January 9 and released on bail on Friday.
Meloni calls release an ‘affront’ to victims
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the decision, calling it “an affront to the memory of the victims and an insult to their families”. Six of those killed in the fire were Italian nationals, as were 10 of the injured.
Italy conveys ‘strong indignation’ to Swiss authorities
In a statement, the Italian government said Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani instructed Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland to immediately contact Beatrice Pilloud, chief prosecutor of Switzerland’s Valais canton, to convey Rome’s “strong indignation” over Moretti’s release.
The statement said the court took the decision despite the seriousness of the alleged crimes, the risk of flight and concerns that evidence could be compromised.
“The whole of Italy is clamouring for truth and justice, and is calling for respectful measures that fully take into account the suffering and expectations of the families,” it said.
Ambassador recalled to Rome
Meloni and Tajani also ordered Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado to return to Rome to assess what further action Italy could take.
Prosecutor Pilloud confirmed to Swiss news agency Keystone SDA that she had been contacted by the Italian ambassador but said a separate court had ordered Moretti’s release. She added that she would not yield to political pressure and had advised the ambassador to raise the issue with Swiss political authorities to avoid a diplomatic incident.
Bail conditions and victims’ anger
Moretti was released under strict bail conditions, including the payment of 200,000 Swiss francs and a requirement to report daily to a police station.
Lawyers representing the victims and their families said they were struggling to understand the ruling, warning that their clients feared evidence could disappear. “It is another slap on a wound that will never heal,” Andrea Costanzo, whose 16-year-old daughter Chiara died in the fire, told Italian newspapers.
Quick Reads
View AllOwners pledge cooperation
The Morettis have expressed grief over the tragedy and said they will cooperate fully with investigators. Following Jacques Moretti’s release, their lawyers said they would continue to comply with all requests from the authorities.
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