Jacques Moretti arrested for domestic violence – wife hospitalised
The bar owner involved in the Crans-Montana fire catastrophe was arrested in mid-August following an incident against his wife. His spouse was admitted to hospital.
Moretti held following domestic incident – lawyers confirm occurrence
Jacques Moretti, bar owner and co-defendant in proceedings relating to the Crans-Montana fire catastrophe, was arrested in mid-August for violence against his wife, according to SRF. His wife Jessica Moretti was admitted to hospital; whether she remains there is currently unclear.
The lawyers representing the married couple confirmed in a statement a "recent incident at the Morettis' home". Recent reports in some media outlets and inquiries directed at the defence prompted them to comment. Substantively, they made no statement: the incidents concerned exclusively the family's private life.
The defence emphasised expressly that the current events should not be confused with the fire catastrophe in Crans-Montana. Jacques Moretti is presumed innocent in this matter.
The Attorney General of Valais canton, Béatrice Pilloud, told news agency Keystone-SDA that the public prosecutor's office does not communicate in cases of domestic violence as a matter of principle.
Background: In the fire at the bar "Le Constellation" in Crans-Montana on New Year's Day, 41 people lost their lives, with over 100 more injured. The Moretti couple operated the establishment. Both are among 16 defendants in proceedings for negligent manslaughter, negligent arson, and negligent serious bodily harm – Jessica Moretti additionally faces proceedings for document forgery.
Jacques Moretti was taken into pre-trial detention in January, but has been at liberty since the end of January following payment of bail. He has since been subject to a ban on leaving the country and a daily obligation to report to police. These measures were extended for three months in early August.
Source: SRF