Owner of Crans-Montana bar hit by fatal fire detained over domestic abuse claim
Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Crans-Montana bar where a New Year fire killed 41 people, has been placed in pre-trial detention on suspicion of assaulting his wife. The couple were already under scrutiny as suspects in the fire investigation.
French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti, owners of the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, have been under intense public scrutiny since a devastating fire broke out at their establishment in the early hours of January 1. The blaze killed 41 people, most of them teenagers, and injured 115 others.
According to a report by Geneva broadcaster Leman Bleu, picked up by other media, Jacques Moretti has now been arrested and placed in pre-trial detention. He is accused of committing violence against his wife earlier this month.
Incident at the couple's home
The alleged incident reportedly took place on the night of August 11 at the couple's home in the southwestern Swiss canton of Wallis. It was reportedly serious enough that Jessica Moretti had to be hospitalised.
Neither the public prosecutor's office nor the couple's lawyers responded immediately to requests for comment. However, on Sunday evening the Morettis' lawyers issued a statement addressing the reports, stressing that the alleged events are being investigated in a separate case concerning "exclusively their private life" and should not be confused with the Constellation tragedy.
The lawyers added that the reported events nonetheless fall within the context of what they described as a particularly intense ordeal the Morettis have been trying to face together since January 1.
Fire investigation continues
The Morettis are among 16 people under criminal investigation over the fire, facing charges that include manslaughter by negligence and arson by negligence.
