Rome, Italy. Italy formally protested the release on bail of the owner of a Swiss bar hit by a deadly New Year’s Day fire and recalled its ambassador to Switzerland. The decision drew criticism in both countries.
Investigation into Crans-Montana fire
Jacques Moretti and his wife Jessica, owners of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, are under investigation for negligent homicide and other crimes linked to the blaze that killed 40 people and injured more than 100, many of them teenagers. Moretti was detained on January 9 and released on bail on Friday.
Meloni and Tajani order diplomatic steps
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Moretti’s release “an affront to the memory of the victims … and an insult to their families.” Six of those killed were Italian, as were 10 of the injured.
A government statement said Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani instructed Italy’s ambassador to immediately contact Beatrice Pilloud, chief prosecutor in Switzerland’s Valais canton, to convey Italy’s “strong indignation” over the release. It said the court took the decision despite the seriousness of the alleged crime, the risk of flight and the possibility of evidence being compromised.
“The whole of Italy is clamouring for truth and justice, and is calling for respectful measures to be taken in the wake of this disaster, which take full account of the suffering and expectations of the families,” the statement said.
Meloni and Tajani also ordered Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado to return to Rome to determine what further action to take, according to the statement.
What further steps do you think Italy should take following the bail decision?