Italy Recalls Ambassador from Switzerland After New Year’s Bar Fire Suspect Released
en01.web.id – Rome, Italy.
The Italian government has officially recalled its ambassador from Switzerland in protest after a Swiss court released Jacques Moretti, the owner of the Le Constellation bar, who is under investigation for a deadly New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, that killed at least 40 people and injured more than 100 others.
The fire broke out on January 1, 2026, inside the crowded bar during New Year’s celebrations. Flames spread rapidly through the venue, triggering panic as many patrons were unable to escape in time. Authorities confirmed that a significant number of the victims were Italian nationals, which intensified public and political outrage in Italy.
Swiss prosecutors arrested Jacques Moretti, the bar’s owner and operator, on January 9, 2026, on suspicion of negligent homicide and serious safety violations. Investigators are examining whether the bar complied with fire safety regulations, including emergency exits, interior materials, and crowd capacity limits.
However, on January 23, 2026, a court in the Swiss canton of Valais ordered Moretti’s release on bail of approximately 200,000 Swiss francs, ruling that he did not pose a flight risk and that the investigation could continue without his detention. The court imposed conditions requiring him to remain available to authorities during the legal process.
The decision prompted a strong response from Rome. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the ruling, saying it failed to respect the suffering of the victims’ families.
“This decision represents a serious lack of respect toward the families who lost their loved ones in a tragedy of this magnitude,” Meloni said in an official statement on Friday.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that the Italian ambassador to Switzerland had been recalled for consultations.
“We have recalled our ambassador as a formal diplomatic protest. Italy expects justice to be pursued with the seriousness this tragedy demands,” Tajani told reporters in Rome.
Swiss authorities responded by emphasizing the independence of the judiciary. Prosecutors in Valais stated that the release was a judicial decision and that the criminal investigation remains active. They stressed that Moretti’s release does not affect the continuation of legal proceedings.
As of January 24, 2026, the Le Constellation fire case remains under investigation and has drawn international attention, highlighting diplomatic tensions between Italy and Switzerland as Italy continues to press for full accountability over one of Europe’s deadliest nightclub-related fires in recent years.
Tim Redaksi
(rd/ks/jk)