Owner of bar involved in Swiss tragedy arrested; businessman has criminal record.

The owner of the Le Constellation bar, Jacques Moretti was arrested this Friday (9) in Sion, Switzerland. The arrest occurred after a six and a half hour interrogation about the fire that left 40 dead and 116 injured in Crans-Montana.

The arrest was requested by prosecutor Catherine Seppey, who cited a potential flight risk. Jacques Moretti will undergo a custody hearing to determine whether he will post bail or wear an electronic ankle monitor.

His wife and co-owner of the bar, Jessica Moretti, also testified and left the Public Prosecutor's office accompanied by lawyers. Visibly emotional, she apologized to the families and stated that the tragedy was unimaginable.

The Public Prosecutor's Office in Sion has requested that Jessica remain under house arrest with electronic monitoring. The couple is being investigated for suspected responsibility for the fire and for violating safety regulations.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire started due to sparks from pyrotechnic candles in the foam ceiling covering. The establishment had not undergone inspections by local authorities since 2020.

Switzerland declared a national day of mourning on Friday. At 14 p.m., the country paused for a minute of silence, including the suspension of air traffic and the simultaneous ringing of church bells.

An official ceremony was held in Martigny with the presence of European leaders. The President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, participated in the ceremony honoring the victims.

The Italian Public Prosecutor's Office is also investigating the case, as Italian teenagers aged 15 and 16 died at the scene. Prosecutors in Rome have requested autopsies be performed on the Italian victims.

Criminal record

The French press and media outlets such as FSP and Le Parisien They reported that Jacques Moretti has a prior criminal record in France.

About 20 years ago, he reportedly served a prison sentence for crimes related to prostitution. (conviction in 2008), kidnapping and false imprisonment.