Italy fury at Swiss bar owner release ‘understandable’

Swiss President Guy Parmelin told an Italian newspaper that Italy’s anger was understandable after the owner of the bar where a deadly fire broke out on New Year’s Eve was released on bail, but added that judges acted independently.

A fire broke out in a bar full of teenagers in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana in the early hours of January 1, killing 40 people, including six Italian citizens, and injuring more than 100; This is a tragedy reflected in the Italian media and public opinion.

The Italian prime minister’s office said on Saturday that the decision to release bar owner Jacques Moretti was “a serious insult and an additional wound inflicted on the families of the Crans-Montana victims and those still hospitalized.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Corriere della Sera on Sunday that he called on Switzerland to heed Italy’s call to set up a joint investigation team.

Italy said it had instructed the Swiss ambassador to express his “deep indignation” at the chief prosecutor of the canton of Valais and travel to Rome to discuss further steps.

Parmelin said in an interview with Corriere della Sera on Sunday that he had not been formally informed of the decision to recall Switzerland’s ambassador to Rome.

“This is an ordinary diplomatic measure… after consultations, the ambassador will return to Switzerland,” Parmelin said. he said.

“It is not the job of politicians to interfere with the judicial system. We can certainly understand the anger.”