A Swiss court has ruled that the co-owner of a bar in the prestigious ski town of Crans-Montana, where a tragic fire claimed the lives of 40 individuals on New Year’s Day, will remain in custody. Jacques Moretti will be detained for an initial period of three months, with the possibility of reconsideration if preventive measures against flight risks, such as a security deposit, are taken.
The decision to detain Moretti was made by prosecutors from the Valais canton following an extensive hearing involving him and his wife, Jessica. The couple has expressed their sorrow over the fire and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
Jessica Moretti’s legal representatives issued a statement affirming that her husband will be able to regain his freedom once the specified conditions are met. They emphasized the couple’s unwavering commitment to participating in the legal proceedings together without evading them.
Swiss authorities declared the previous Friday a national day of mourning, with church bells tolling across the country in remembrance of the victims. The tragic incident resulted in the loss of numerous teenagers, with over 116 individuals sustaining injuries, many of them severe.