Victims, relatives and bereaved families attended Jacques Moretti’s hearing in Sion in greater numbers than usual on Monday. Several expressed anger during the proceedings, disputing some of the bar owner’s statements. The hearing also drew criticism over the absence of his wife, Jessica Moretti, and what civil parties described as a slow investigation.
Jessica Moretti, who also co-owned the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, was not called to appear. Prosecutors decided against summoning her after a psychologist warned of the risks of a direct confrontation with her husband, who has been in pre-trial detention since mid-August over alleged violence against her. Civil-party lawyer Didier Elsig said her absence “deeply shocks” the families.
Survivor Bachar Fleury, 18, who suffered burns to 40% of his body, said her absence and the pace of the investigation had left him feeling anger and frustration. Another survivor, Mélanie Van De Velde Azzi, 33, attended despite severe burns to her face. “We need to make ourselves heard and be here together,” she said.
Some victims and relatives spoke during the hearing to object to Moretti’s remarks. Although only lawyers are normally permitted to address the court, the prosecutor allowed some families to respond, according to a source close to the case cited in the report.
Lawyers for both the civil parties and Moretti also criticised what they described as procedural inertia, saying Monday’s discussion of renovation work and permits had already taken place months earlier. Lawyer Christophe de Galembert described the hearing as somewhat disjointed, with inconsistencies on several subjects, including acoustic foam and invoices.
A source close to the case said Moretti blamed former bar owner Julien Beytrison when asked about permits for renovations, saying it had been Beytrison’s responsibility and that he trusted him. The source added that Moretti declined to answer questions about allegations of money laundering.
The investigation focuses largely on work carried out in the bar’s basement in 2015, operating permits and safety measures. Investigators are also examining emergency exits, some of which were allegedly locked on the night of the fire, and ceiling acoustic foam that reportedly ignited quickly after coming into contact with sparklers.
Moretti’s lawyer, Patrick Michod, said his client had been questioned for the sixth time and had answered more than 650 questions since the investigation began, arguing that he had cooperated more than anyone else. Civil-party lawyer Lida Lavi countered that he had genuinely answered only about ten of them.
The criminal investigation also targets 15 other people: eight current or former municipal officials, including Crans-Montana president Nicolas Féraud, and seven current or former municipal employees. All are being prosecuted for negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson. Municipal officials acknowledged shortly after the fire that the bar had not undergone a safety inspection or a fire-risk inspection since 2019.
Michod said municipal officials and former safety officers should also face questioning. He argued that the investigation should focus on them in 2027 rather than continue what he called lengthy hearings involving the Morettis. He and lawyers for the civil parties said Monday’s hearing had not advanced the investigation.
Sources: Le Figaro.