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By Euronews with AFP
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday voiced outrage after the release of Jacques Moretti, co-owner of a Swiss bar where 40 people lost their lives and 116 others were injured during New Year’s celebrations.
In a statement, Meloni and her Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said they asked Rome’s ambassador to Switzerland to contact regional public prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud and convey their “strong indignation” over the decision to free Jacques Moretti on bail.
Italy has also recalled its ambassador to Switzerland to “determine what further measures to take”, the statement said.
Ignazio Cassis, Vice President of the Swiss Federal Council, responded on social media platform X that “we understand the pain, because it’s our pain too,” adding that he had spoken to Tajani, with the two of them reaffirming “Switzerland and Italy’s willingness to support each other in this shared tragedy.”
The bar “Le Constellation”, located in the ski resort of Crans-Montana and owned by French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti’s bar, caught fire early on 1 January as partygoers celebrated. Six young Italians were killed, and more than a dozen were among the 116 seriously injured.
The Morettis are under criminal investigation, facing charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence.
Jacques Moretti had been held in custody since 9 January, while Jessica remained free under certain restrictions. He was released on Friday after a close friend of his paid his bail of 200,000 Swiss francs (€215,628).
According to the court’s grounds, the decision was made following a new assessment of the risk of flight and after examining the origin of the funds and the nature of the relationship between the defendant and the bailer. Although the Valais Public Prosecutor’s Office had requested the imposition of an electronic bracelet, the judges did not consider it necessary, applying the so-called classical measures instead.
Moretti will be obliged to report daily to a police station, will not be allowed to leave Swiss territory, and had to deposit all identity and residence documents with the Public Ministry.
News of Moretti’s release brings strong reaction from Meloni
The news caused a significant reaction from Rome, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni calling the development an outrage to the memory of the victims and an insult to their families. The Prime Minister also announced that the Italian government will officially ask the Swiss authorities for an account of the decision.
Meloni’s statement pointed to the “extreme gravity of the crime” Moretti is suspected of, “the heavy responsibilities weighing on him, the ongoing risk of flight, and the clear risk of further tampering with evidence”.
“This decision is a grave affront and a fresh wound inflicted on the families of the victims of the Crans-Montana tragedy and on those who are still hospitalised,” it said.
“All of Italy is crying out for truth and justice and demands that, after this catastrophe, respectful measures be taken that fully take into account the suffering and expectations of the families.”
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