Crans-Montana fire: bar operator Jacques M. in custody again – this time for domestic violence
Jacques M., operator of the bar where 41 people died on New Year's Eve, is in custody on suspicion of domestic violence. The incident could influence the fire investigation.
New arrest in Crans-Montana case: bar operator suspected of domestic violence
Jacques M. is again in custody – this time not in connection with the devastating fire at the bar "Le Constellation" in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, but on suspicion of domestic violence against his wife Jessica M. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, M. was arrested during the night of 11 to 12 August. The Romandy television station Léman Bleu first reported it.
Jessica M. is said to have been taken to hospital following the incident. Nothing is known about her current condition. Swiss radio confirmed the detention. Jacques M.'s lawyers initially did not respond to an enquiry from the Süddeutsche Zeitung on Monday.
First fire, second arrest
In the fire on New Year's Eve, 41 people died and 115 others were injured, some seriously. According to investigators' current findings, the fire was caused by a spray canister attached to a champagne bottle that ignited foam material used for soundproofing on the ceilings and walls of the basement. The origin of this material remains the subject of investigation, as it is crucial in determining whether it met fire safety regulations.
Jacques M. had already spent two weeks in custody following the fire disaster, but was released after paying bail. Since then, he has had to report regularly to police and was barred from leaving Switzerland. How long the renewed detention is set for is currently unknown. In both proceedings, the presumption of innocence applies.
Possible turning point in fire investigation
Swiss radio is already speculating whether the new arrest could represent an indirect turning point in the investigation into the fire disaster. From "several people familiar with the case", the broadcaster claims to have learned that the couple M. might now be willing to give evidence against each other following the violent incident. So far, both are said to have made largely consistent statements in closed hearings. However, there is no concrete evidence yet of an impending rift. Further hearings into the fire disaster are planned for autumn and winter – expected to be November and December.
Growing list of allegations
With the new allegation of domestic violence, the list of suspected offences against the operators of "Le Constellation" has grown again. Most recently, Jessica M. came under suspicion of document forgery. The background: Jacques M. initially claimed to have purchased the foam material in a hardware store in Riddes – which the business refuted, as it did not have the product in stock at that time. Shortly afterwards, M. personally presented the police with an invoice from Hoyerswerda, which later proved to be a probable forgery in the course of the investigation.
New lead: former operator allegedly ordered foam
An investigation by the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, which is cooperating with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, has now uncovered another lead: according to this, the former owner and operator of the bar allegedly ordered the foam on behalf of the couple M. – 550 square metres for approximately 6,670 euros. According to current knowledge, an authentic invoice exists for this transaction. Why the former operator is said to have advanced the money for the M.s and why this detail has only come to light now remains unclear for the time being.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung