Italy’s anger over bar manager release understandable, Swiss president says

Italy says it has instructed its ambassador to Switzerland to convey its “deep indignation” to the chief prosecutor of Valais canton

Swiss President Guy Parmelin speaks during a press conference, after several people died and others were injured due to a fire and explosion during a New Year’s Eve party at the "Le Constellation" bar in Crans-Montana, in Sion, Switzerland, Jan 1, 2026. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy

Rome's outrage was understandable over the release on bail of the owner of the bar where a deadly fire broke out on New Year's Day, Swiss President Guy Parmelin told an Italian daily on Sunday, but added that magistrates act independently.

A blaze that erupted early on Jan 1 in a bar crowded with teenagers in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, killed 40 people, including six Italian nationals, and injured more than 100 - a tragedy that has reverberated across Italy's media and public opinion.

The Italian Prime Minister's office on Saturday said the decision to release bar owner Jacques Moretti was "a serious affront and a further wound inflicted to the families of the Crans-Montana victims and of those who are still hospitalised".

ITALY RECALLS AMBASSADOR TO ROME

In comments to Corriere della Sera on Sunday Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged Switzerland to heed Italy's call to set up a joint investigative team.

Italy said it had instructed its ambassador to Switzerland to express its "deep indignation" to the chief prosecutor of the Valais canton and to travel to Rome to discuss further steps.

Parmelin said in an interview with Sunday's Corriere della Sera that Switzerland had not been officially informed of the decision to recall the ambassador to Rome.

"It's an ordinary diplomatic measure ... after the consultations the ambassador will return to Switzerland," Parmelin said. "It's not the job of politicians to interfere with the judicial system. We can certainly understand the indignation."