Rome, Italy – Italy has recalled its ambassador to Switzerland in protest against a Swiss court’s decision to release on bail the owner of a bar where a deadly fire broke out on New Year’s Eve.
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This diplomatic move reflects growing official and public anger over what Rome considers a disregard for the gravity of the tragedy and the rights of the victims.
Swiss authorities released Jacques Moretti, owner of the “Le Constellasio” bar in the Crans-Montana resort, on Friday after he had been detained since January 9.
He is under investigation for manslaughter and other crimes related to the fire that killed 40 people and injured more
than 100, most of them young adults. Moretti and his wife, Jessica, are under investigation in the case.
An insult to the memory of the victims
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the release of the suspect as “an insult to the memory of the victims
and an insult to their families,” noting that six Italians were among the dead and ten others were injured.
A statement from the Italian government confirmed that Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had instructed the Italian ambassador
to Bern to immediately convey Italy’s “strongest displeasure” to the public prosecutor’s office in the canton of Valais.
The statement added that the decision to release Moretti was made despite the seriousness of
the suspected crime and concerns that the accused might flee or tamper with evidence.
It asserted that Italy “demands truth and justice” and calls for measures
that take into account the suffering and expectations of the victims’ families.
Conducting consultations
The government has asked Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Coronado to return to Rome for consultations on the next steps. In response,
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said he had contacted his Italian counterpart,
emphasizing the two countries’ support for each other following the disaster.
A spokesperson for the Swiss Foreign Ministry explained that recalling
the ambassador is a standard diplomatic procedure and will not be a permanent measure.
The court released Moretti on bail of 200,000 Swiss francs, requiring him to report daily to the police station,
a decision that continues to generate widespread controversy in both Italy and Switzerland.
