Moretti Couple, Lawyers Escorted from Hearing Amidst Victim Confrontation in Crans-Montana Fire Case
Prosecutors ordered the unprecedented police exfiltration of the Moretti couple and their legal team on Thursday, February 12, following a heated confrontation with relatives of the 41 victims who perished in the New Year’s Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. The dramatic move effectively halted the ongoing hearing, leaving many questions unanswered and deepening the emotional turmoil surrounding the tragedy.
A Day Marked by Grief and Outrage
The day was initially intended for questioning of Jessica Moretti’s legal representatives, but quickly devolved into a scene of raw emotion and direct accusations. As Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the manager and owner of Le Constellation, arrived with their attorneys, they were met by a gathering organized by Christian Pidoux, the father of Trystan, one of the individuals who died in the devastating fire.
Families of the victims voiced their anguish and anger directly at the couple, with cries of “You killed my big brother!” and “My son is dead, he was burned!” echoing through the area. One individual demanded the Morettis make eye contact, repeatedly stating, “Look at me please.” The intensity of the confrontation prompted prosecutors to intervene.
Unprecedented Police Intervention
The decision to order the exfiltration – the discreet removal of the Morettis and their three lawyers under police escort – was described as “unprecedented” by multiple sources present at the hearing. According to reports from BFMTV, the group was transported from the scene in police vans after the hearing was abruptly suspended shortly after 4:30 p.m.
This action underscores the extraordinary sensitivity of the case and the challenges authorities face in balancing the pursuit of justice with the profound grief of the victims’ families. The abrupt end to the hearing meant that not all questions prepared by the lawyers could be posed.
A Brief Moment of Hope Preceded the Confrontation
The altercation occurred just one day after a meeting between a mother of victims and the bar managers, a development described by Me Yaël Hayat, representing the Morettis, as a “rare moment” with the potential for “appeasement in shared suffering.” While this meeting offered a glimmer of hope for a more constructive dialogue, Thursday’s events demonstrate the deep-seated pain and anger that continue to fuel the situation.
The investigation into the cause of the fire at Le Constellation remains ongoing, and the legal proceedings are expected to be protracted and emotionally charged. The police exfiltration of the Moretti couple and their legal team marks a significant escalation in the case, highlighting the immense pressure surrounding the pursuit of answers and accountability in the wake of this tragic event.
Related reading
