The Italian government condemned today the release of the owner of the "La Constellation" bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, where 40 people, including six Italians, died in a fire during New Year's celebrations, and recalled its ambassador to that country.
Bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti are under investigation for manslaughter and other crimes related to the fire, which also killed six Italian citizens, and Jacques, who was arrested on January 9, was released from custody on bail yesterday, Reuters reports.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni said that Moretti's release was "an insult to the memory of the victims of the New Year's tragedy and an insult to their families."
The government statement said that Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani instructed Italian Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado to immediately contact the chief prosecutor in the Swiss canton of Valais to convey Rome's "strong indignation" over Moretti's release, and that the court made the decision despite the seriousness of the alleged crime.
"The whole of Italy seeks truth and justice and calls for respectful measures to be taken in the wake of this disaster, which fully take into account the suffering and expectations of the families," the statement said.
Meloni and Tajani also ordered Cornada to return to Rome.
Moretti was released on bail of 200.000 Swiss francs and ordered to report to the police station daily.
Lawyers for the fire victims and their families said they could not understand the court order, and that their clients were concerned about the disappearance of evidence.
The Morettis expressed their sorrow over the tragedy and said they would cooperate with prosecutors.
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