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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed anger on Saturday over 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.
Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a statement that they had asked the Roman ambassador to Switzerland to contact local prosecutor Beatrice Piroud and express his “strong outrage” at the decision to release Jacques Moretti on bail.
Italy has recalled its ambassador to Switzerland to “determine further measures”, the statement said.
“We understand the pain, because it is our pain too,” Ignazio Cassis, vice-president of the Swiss parliament, responded on social media
Le Constellation, a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort run by French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti, caught fire in the early hours of January 1 while partygoers were celebrating. Six young Italians were killed and more than a dozen of the 116 were seriously injured.
The Morettis are under criminal investigation on charges of manslaughter, manslaughter and arson.
Jack Moretti had been in custody since January 9, while Jessica remained free under certain restrictions. He was released on Friday after a close friend paid bail of 200,000 Swiss francs (215,628 euros).
The court’s rationale said the decision was made after a new assessment of the flight risk and consideration of the source of the funds and the nature of the defendant’s relationship with the bailiff. The Valais public prosecutor’s office requested the imposition of an electronic bracelet, but the judge did not find it necessary and instead applied so-called classic measures.
Moretti had to report to a police station every day, was not allowed to leave Swiss territory, and had to leave all his identity and residence documents with the Ministry of Public Affairs.
Meloni reacts strongly to news of Moretti’s release
The news caused a huge reaction in Rome, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni calling the development an outrage against the memory of the victims and an insult to their families. The Prime Minister also announced that the Italian government would seek a formal explanation from the Swiss authorities about the decision.
Meloni’s statement called Moretti’s charges an “extremely serious crime” and pointed out the “heavy responsibility that rests upon him, the continuing risk of flight and the clear risk of further tampering with evidence.”
“This decision is a grave insult and another wound inflicted on the families of the victims of the Crans-Montana tragedy and those still hospitalized,” the statement said.
“All of Italy cries for truth and justice and demands that respectful measures be taken in the aftermath of this catastrophe, taking full account of the suffering and expectations of the families.”
