GENEVA, Jan 24 (KUNA) -- Italy recalled its ambassador to Switzerland on Saturday in protest against release of the owner of the Crans-Montana resort, which was ravaged by a fire on New Year's Eve that killed 40 people, including six Italians, and injured 116 others, including Italians.
In a post on her X account, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her displeasure on the decision to release on bail the prime suspect in the fire and resort owner Jacques Moretti.
She described the release as "a grave insult and a further pain for the families of the victims and those still receiving treatment in hospitals." She also voiced concern that the release risks the suspect absconding or compromising the integrity of the ongoing investigation through "tampering with evidence." On Friday, the compulsory measures court decided to release Moretti on bail of 200,000 Swiss francs (over USD 256,000).
The Italian Prime Minister's office stated in a press release carried by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation that Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani instructed Italy's ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Coronado, to immediately contact the public prosecutor of the Swiss canton of Valais, Beatrice Pilloux, to inform her of Italy's outrage over Moretti's release.
The statement added that Rome summoned the ambassador to protest the decision and to determine what further measures should be taken.
On the other hand, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, in a post on his X account Saturday, affirmed that his country shares Italy's pain and sorrow for the victims, expressing his understanding of Italian sentiments.
Cassis emphasized that Switzerland is following the judicial proceedings in Valais with great interest.
He noted that he discussed the matter today with his Italian counterpart, and they reaffirmed their countries' desire to support each other in the face of this "shared tragedy." The public prosecutor of Valais confirmed that the Italian ambassador to Switzerland had contacted her, adding that she had explained to him that the decision to release Moretti fell within the court's jurisdiction.
Pilloux stressed that she would not yield to any potential pressure from the Italian authorities, noting that she had advised the ambassador to contact the Swiss political authorities.
The Crans-Montana ski resort in the Swiss Alps was the scene of a massive fire during New Year's celebrations, which resulted in the deaths of 40 people and injuries to 116 others, most of whom were in critical condition.
Swiss authorities arrested the resort's owner, charging him and his wife with manslaughter by negligence, before deciding to release him on bail. (end) imk.ibi