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Swiss Court Orders Three Months’ Preventive Detention for Bar Co-Owner in Crans-Montana Fire Case

The court cited flight risk, signaling possible release once security conditions such as bail are set.

Overview

  • The Valais coercive-measures court ruled that Jacques Moretti must remain in custody for up to three months, with detention potentially lifted if sufficient security measures are arranged.
  • Prosecutors are pursuing a criminal probe of the owners on suspicions of involuntary manslaughter, negligent bodily injury and causing an involuntary fire.
  • Investigators say sparklers likely ignited acoustic foam on the ceiling and are examining whether the material complied with regulations and whether pyrotechnics were permitted.
  • Authorities report no fire-safety inspection at the venue since 2019, and the owners told police the bar had extinguishers but no automatic sprinklers or staff fire training.
  • The New Year’s Eve blaze killed 40 people and injured 116, while co-owner Jessica Moretti was questioned and released to care for the couple’s children.