Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica, 40, are being investigated by Swiss authorities for a series of criminal offences linked to the deadly fire at a nightclub in Crans-Montana that killed 40 people, many of them teenagers. They face charges of manslaughter, negligent wounding and arson.
Police said Jacques Moretti, who is believed to have previously had a career as a prosecutor, was arrested due to a flight risk. His wife, Jessica, was questioned by authorities but released.
According to the British newspaper The Sun, investigations have revealed that the Moretti couple played a significant role in the spread of the fire. Jessica is suspected of leaving the bar with a cash register full of money on the night of the tragedy, ignoring people who were in danger. For this reason, she may also face additional charges of "failure to assist people in danger."
The fire broke out at the Le Constellation nightclub, a popular hangout for young people. The tragedy killed 40 people, including 26 teenagers, with most of the victims aged between 14 and 39. Among them were citizens from France, Italy, Romania and other countries, including a 14-year-old Frenchman and a 14-year-old Swiss.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the Moretti couple may have seriously violated safety standards, by not providing sufficient fire extinguishing equipment and functional emergency exits. According to reports, one emergency exit was constantly blocked, making it even more difficult to rescue those present.
Another worrying element is the fact that the restaurant's social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram, were deactivated between 3:00 and 6:30 a.m. on the night of the fire, while rescue operations were still underway. Lawyers for some of the injured have raised suspicions that this could be linked to attempts to destroy or conceal evidence.
In parallel, it has been revealed that Jacques Moretti had a criminal past, including convictions for fraud and kidnapping. The investigation is also focusing on renovation works to the venue in 2015, which are suspected to have increased the risk of fire.
A minute of silence was observed across Switzerland in memory of the victims. Swiss President Guy Parmelin, along with high-ranking representatives from France and Italy, attended a memorial ceremony in Martigny. The tragedy has deeply shocked Swiss public opinion and caused a wave of grief and solidarity throughout the country.
