Jacques Moretti, owner of the Constellation hotel and under investigation for the New Year's Eve massacre in Crans-Montana , which killed 40 people and injured 116 , has been released from Sion prison after posting bail of 200,000 francs, provided by a mysterious friend. His release has sparked a harsh reaction from Italy .

"I am outraged; I consider this an outrage to the memory of the victims and an insult to their families, " said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni , who announced that the government "will hold the Swiss authorities accountable."

Disappointment and dismay also emerged from the families of the victims and the injured Italians. "It's a disgrace for our children," said the parents of Riccardo Minghetti , one of the young men who died in the restaurant. "This release," added lawyer Alessandro Vaccato, representing the family of another victim, Emanuele Galeppini, "leaves us speechless. Frankly, we must intervene because it can't happen this way ." "I hope justice takes its course, of course, but today I'm wavering," said Chiara Costanzo's father.

THE DECISION – The Coercive Measures Tribunal in Sion, after a "new assessment of the risk of flight," has released the French businessman, accused, along with his wife, Jessica Maric, of manslaughter, assault, and arson in connection with the fire at their Crans-Montana premises. He will be subjected to the same alternative precautionary measures already in place for Jessica: a travel ban, a requirement to sign in, the confiscation of his documents, and a deposit .

The judges, who did not deem it necessary to impose an electronic bracelet on him, as the Valais Attorney General's Office had requested, also assured that they "examined the origin of the funds and the nature of the relationship between the defendant and the person who paid them."

Following the news of their release, the couple's lawyers explained that "Jessica and Jacques Moretti will now continue to respond together to any requests from the authorities." "Their thoughts," they added, "remain constantly with the victims of this tragedy."

THE INVESTIGATIONS – Currently , the Morettis are the only suspects, but the investigation into the Crans-Montana massacre could expand . A few hours before the court's decision, Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud broke the silence with a lengthy press release in which she did not rule out "extending" the investigation to anyone else who might be criminally responsible.

The case opened into the New Year's Eve massacre is taking on an unexpected dimension, as well as significant international relevance: so far, approximately 130 injured parties and civil parties have filed their claims, represented by around fifty lawyers. International letters rogatory are underway with France and Italy, which expects to cooperate with Sion. However, the Attorney General has rejected the idea of appointing an external commissioner to oversee the investigation outside the Canton of Valais.

THE INJURED – Meanwhile , two of the children hospitalized at Milan's Niguarda Hospital are returning home and will be able to return to school in two weeks, though the battle will be tough and long. "Their parents are very happy. But that doesn't mean they're cured. They still have a very long rehabilitation and treatment program to complete, and they'll be coming to Niguarda several days a week," explains Guido Bertolaso, Lombardy's Regional Welfare Councilor. The hope, he adds, is that "the other eight patients at Niguarda will soon be declared out of danger," but it will take "still a while, and for some, a long time."

(Unioneonline/vl)

© Riproduzione riservata