Swiss court ordered three months of pretrial detention for Jacques Moretti, the manager of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, after a New Year’s Eve fire killed 40 people and injured 116 others, according to the Associated Press.
The court of compulsory measures in Switzerland’s southwestern Valais canton ordered the detention on Monday, citing a possible “flight risk” highlighted by prosecutors. The court said it was inclined to lift the three-month pretrial detention if sufficient “security measures” are arranged.
In its statement, the court said those measures could potentially include bail, but it also said Moretti should remain in custody until the conditions are worked out.
The office of Patrick Michod, a lawyer for Moretti, did not respond to emailed requests for comment, the AP reported. A secretary for the lawyer said Michod was not immediately available.
A Swiss business register lists French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti as owners of the bar, the AP said. Lawyers for Jessica Moretti said in a statement that the decision would allow her husband “to regain freedom” once conditions are arranged.
Swiss authorities opened a criminal investigation into the owners, who are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, according to the AP report.
Investigators believe the fire was ignited by sparkling candles when they came too close to the ceiling, which was outfitted with soundproofing material, the AP said. The authorities are looking into whether the soundproofing material conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar.
The AP also reported that fire safety inspections had not been carried out since 2019.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin said Friday that Switzerland was “appalled” by the tragedy, according to the AP.