Swiss court orders release of bar owner linked to fatal fire

Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the couple who ran the Swiss bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana which burst into flames during a New Year's Eve party, arrive for questioning at the Public Ministry of the Canton of Valais in Sion in southwestern Switzerland, January 9, 2026. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

GENEVA, Jan ‌23 (Reuters) - A Swiss ‌court said on Friday ‌that the owner of a bar that caught fire ‍on New Year's ‍Day could ‌go free after authorities ‍received funds ​to bail him.

Jacques Moretti ⁠and his wife Jessica are ‌under investigation for suspected crimes ⁠including ‍negligent homicide and the former was ‍detained on Jan. 9 ‌due to a perceived flight risk. Both of them have voiced grief over the tragedy which killed 40 people ‌and injured over 100 and vowed to cooperate ​with prosecutors.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; editing by James Mackenzie)