The release of Jacques Moretti after the payment of a 200,000 franc bail causes the Crans-Montana case to explode. The Italian government recalls the ambassador to Bern: “Serious offense to the families of the victims”
The release of Jacques Moretti not only opens a new judicial chapter on the New Year’s Eve massacre in Crans-Montana, but triggers a diplomatic rift between Italy and Switzerland. After the decision of the Court of Sion to release on bail the owner of the Le Constellation club, scene of the fire that caused forty deaths and 116 injuries, the Italian government decided to recall the ambassador to Bern, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, to define “the further actions to be taken”.
A politically weighty choice, made in the aftermath of a provision that Palazzo Chigi considers an open wound for the families of the victims and an act disproportionate to the gravity of the crimes contested.
Sion’s decision and the 200 thousand franc bail
Jacques Moretti, 47 years old, of Corsican origin, was released from prison after paying a bail of 200 thousand Swiss francs, approximately 215 thousand euros. The Court of Preliminary Measures of the Canton of Valais revoked the precautionary detention after a new assessment of the risk of flight, considered no longer current, and after examining the origin of the funds used for the bail and the nature of the relationship between the accused and the person who paid the sum.
The money would not have been paid directly by Moretti, but by a “dear friend”, who remained anonymous and who even asked for protection. According to what emerges from the documents, the Swiss judiciary deemed the sum “adequate and dissuasive”, instead rejecting the Prosecutor’s request to apply the electronic bracelet.
However, stringent precautionary measures remain in force: withdrawal of all identity documents, ban on leaving Swiss territory and obligation to report daily to a police station. Even his wife, Jessica Maric, investigated together with her husband for manslaughter, negligent injury and negligent fire, must sign periodically.
Who paid the bail: the notary, the insurer and the third man
There remain serious questions regarding the identity of those who allowed Moretti to return to freedom. In the hours following his release, attention was focused on a small circle of relationships: a notary, an insurance agent and a third man cited by Moretti himself during interrogations as “very close” friends, ready to show him no lack of solidarity.
Their offices are located along rue Centrale, a few meters from the premises destroyed by the fire. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, however, the Moretti spouses actually have limited personal ties in Valais. The judicial papers underline how, with real estate mortgaged for over five million francs, the accused does not have significant income and does not have a large social network in the area, elements which initially had strengthened the fear of escape.
An assessment that now appears overturned, not without fueling controversy.
The return home and the anger of the families
On the evening of his release, some cars were seen driving up Route de Chervignon, in the town of Lens, where the Morettis’ home is located. The area was patrolled by the cantonal police, while there were moments of tension among those present. “C’est proprioté privée”, was shouted to ward off onlookers and reporters.
The reactions of the lawyers of the victims’ families were harsh. Jean-Claude Guidicelli spoke of “further violence inflicted on those poor fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers”, while Christophe De Galembert called the decision “surprising”. Romain Jordan, another lawyer, expressed the fear of “collusion and disappearance of evidence”, especially in light of the fact that an extraordinary prosecutor will not be appointed.
The Prosecutor’s Office has hinted that the investigation could also extend to the alleged responsibilities of the Municipality of Crans-Montana, which has not carried out safety inspections in the premises since 2019.
The reaction of the Italian government: “Viva indignation”
It is against this background that Rome’s very harsh reaction takes place. In an official note, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani instructed Ambassador Cornado to immediately contact the Attorney General Béatrice Pilloud to represent “the lively indignation of the government and Italy”.
According to Palazzo Chigi, Moretti’s release took place “despite the extreme seriousness of the crime, the heavy responsibilities looming over him, the persistent danger of escape and the obvious risk of further tampering with the evidence”. A decision defined as “a serious offense and a further wound inflicted on the families of the victims”.
Tajani: “The feelings of Italians have been offended”
Antonio Tajani did not mince words. “The release offends the feelings of Italians,” he declared, asking that the Swiss judiciary speed up the criminal proceedings. The Foreign Minister spoke of a profound indignation shared with the Prime Minister, underlining how the matter is also experienced on a human level, “as parents”.
Matteo Salvini also intervened, calling the decision “a shame”.
Meloni: “An outrage to the memory of the victims”
The Prime Minister’s position is even clearer. “I consider it an insult to the memory of the victims of the New Year’s Eve tragedy and an insult to their families,” said Meloni, announcing that the Italian government will ask the Swiss authorities to account for what happened.
The ambassador’s recall thus marks the definitive transition of the Crans-Montana case from a judicial matter to a political and diplomatic issue. A signal that Italy does not intend to shelve a tragedy that continues to weigh like an open wound, not only for the families involved, but for the entire country.
