Swiss Bar Owner Arrested Following Deadly New Year's Fire
In a tragic turn of events, Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Swiss bar where 40 people died in a New Year's fire, has been detained by Swiss authorities, according to multiple media reports. The horrific incident occurred at Le Constellation, a bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, during a New Year's Eve celebration.
The Bar and its Legacy
The bar, co-owned by Jacques and Jessica Moretti, has a 20-year history of crimes, according to Folha de S.Paulo. Jacques Moretti, aged 49, was present at the bar during the incident. The South China Morning Post reported that Swiss authorities have placed Jacques in pre-trial detention in order to avoid a risk of flight
. His wife and co-manager, Jessica, remains free under judicial supervision, due to having an eight-month-old son, as stated by La Repubblica.
The Incident and Aftermath
The blaze quickly spread during the New Year party, resulting in a high death toll and leaving the nation in mourning. Following the incident, a national day of mourning was held in Switzerland to remember the victims, as reported by Al Jazeera English and Deutsche Welle.
According to The Guardian, Kenzo Ronnow, a university student in Lausanne, expressed his shock and grief over the incident. Anger is mounting among the public and victims' families, with many believing that the investigation is not moving fast enough.
The New York Times reported that the arrest came after hours of questioning of the bar's co-owners. Sky News World and The Times of Israel confirmed that Swiss authorities have ordered Jacques into custody, stating that those responsible must be brought to account 'without delay or leniency'.
Legal Implications and Reactions
The BBC News mentioned that Jacques Moretti is being held as a potential flight risk. Valais region's chief prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud has requested that Jacques be placed in pre-trial detention, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
Swiss President, as quoted by The Times of Israel, stressed that those responsible must be held to account 'without delay or leniency'. This sentiment is echoed by the victims' families' lawyers, who believe the investigators are not moving fast enough, according to The Guardian.
Current Status
Swiss authorities are continuing their investigation into the deadly New Year fire. With the bar owner in custody, there is an increased pressure for swift justice for the victims of this tragic incident. As Switzerland mourns, the world watches on, hoping for a swift resolution to this incomprehensible nightmare.