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Home > Finance > Swiss bar owner faces prosecutors for second hearing after deadly New Year's fire

Swiss bar owner faces prosecutors for second hearing after deadly New Year's fire

Published by Global Banking and Finance Review

Posted on January 20, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: January 20, 2026

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Quick Summary

Swiss bar owner Jacques Moretti faces a second court hearing over a New Year's fire that killed 40. He is suspected of negligent homicide.

Swiss Bar Owner Appears in Court Again After New Year's Fire Tragedy

Investigation into the New Year's Fire

GENEVA, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The owner of a Swiss bar that caught fire on New Year's Day, killing 40 people, appeared before prosecutors on Tuesday for a second set of hearings in the criminal investigation, according to a lawyer present.

Details of the Incident

The French couple, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are suspected of crimes including negligent homicide.

Legal Proceedings and Responses

Jacques Moretti, who is currently in police custody, is before prosecutors on Tuesday in Sion to examine his version of events, Romain Jordan, a lawyer for families of the victims, told Reuters.

Community and Official Reactions

Moretti's wife, who remains free, is due to be heard on Wednesday.

They have both voiced grief over the fire, which mostly killed teenagers, and said they would cooperate with the probe.

During initial hearings, Jacques Moretti said that a service door at the back of the "Le Constellation" bar was locked shut during the blaze, according to excerpts published by Swiss media.

He said he forced it open from the outside and found several people lying behind it.

Asked about this testimony, his lawyer Nicola Meier said it was a tragedy but denied it represented a locked emergency exit.

Local authorities for the ski town of Crans-Montana also face scrutiny after missing safety checks. The mayor's office said it withdrew a request to be a party to the case "out of respect for the victims".

(Reporting by Emma Farge, editing by Thomas Seythal)

Key Takeaways

•Swiss bar owner faces second court hearing after deadly fire.
•Jacques and Jessica Moretti suspected of negligent homicide.
•Fire at 'Le Constellation' bar killed 40, mostly teenagers.
•Legal proceedings scrutinize safety measures and responses.
•Local authorities under scrutiny for missed safety checks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Swiss bar owner faces prosecutors for second hearing after deadly New Year's fire

1What is negligent homicide?

Negligent homicide is a legal term referring to the unintentional killing of another person due to reckless or negligent behavior. It often involves a failure to act with reasonable care.

2What is a criminal investigation?

A criminal investigation is a process in which law enforcement agencies gather evidence to determine whether a crime has been committed and to identify the responsible parties.

3What is community reaction?

Community reaction refers to the collective response of a group of people to an event or situation, often involving expressions of grief, support, or calls for action.

Investigation into the New Year's Fire

Details of the Incident

The French couple, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are suspected of crimes including negligent homicide.

Legal Proceedings and Responses

Jacques Moretti, who is currently in police custody, is before prosecutors on Tuesday in Sion to examine his version of events, Romain Jordan, a lawyer for families of the victims, told Reuters.

Community and Official Reactions

Moretti's wife, who remains free, is due to be heard on Wednesday.

They have both voiced grief over the fire, which mostly killed teenagers, and said they would cooperate with the probe.

During initial hearings, Jacques Moretti said that a service door at the back of the "Le Constellation" bar was locked shut during the blaze, according to excerpts published by Swiss media.

He said he forced it open from the outside and found several people lying behind it.

Asked about this testimony, his lawyer Nicola Meier said it was a tragedy but denied it represented a locked emergency exit.

(Reporting by Emma Farge, editing by Thomas Seythal)

Key Takeaways

•Swiss bar owner faces second court hearing after deadly fire.

•Jacques and Jessica Moretti suspected of negligent homicide.

•Fire at 'Le Constellation' bar killed 40, mostly teenagers.

•Legal proceedings scrutinize safety measures and responses.

•Local authorities under scrutiny for missed safety checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is negligent homicide?

Negligent homicide is a legal term referring to the unintentional killing of another person due to reckless or negligent behavior. It often involves a failure to act with reasonable care.

2What is a criminal investigation?

A criminal investigation is a process in which law enforcement agencies gather evidence to determine whether a crime has been committed and to identify the responsible parties.

3What is community reaction?

Community reaction refers to the collective response of a group of people to an event or situation, often involving expressions of grief, support, or calls for action.