Crans-Montana bar owner has criminal past; Swiss to vote on whether the government should guarantee the availability of cash; and more news in our roundup this Wednesday.
Crans-Montana bar owner has criminal past, investigation reveals
The owners of the bar where 40 people died in a blaze on New Year’s morning said Tuesday they were “devastated and overwhelmed with grief”, and pledged their “full cooperation” with investigators.
“Words cannot adequately describe the tragedy that unfolded that night,” Jacques and Jessica Moretti said in their first public statement since a criminal investigation was opened against them following the fire in their establishment.
The French nationals are facing charges for negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson over the blaze, which ripped through their bar at around 1:30 am on January 1st, when it was crammed with young New Year’s revellers.
According to sources close to the case, Jacques Moretti was known to the French justice system for procuring, and had served time in jail in 2005 and 2008.
French newspaper Le Dauphine Libere reported that he was accused of recruiting young women in France to work in a massage parlour in Geneva, and had been barred from managing businesses in France.
According to another source close to the investigation, he had also been implicated in seven other criminal cases in the past, including on suspicion of fraud, without conviction. (AFP)
READ ALSO: What safety checks are carried out on bars and clubs in Switzerland?
Gestures of solidarity with fire victims and their families abound
People all over Switzerland are stepping forward with offers of help for families of those who are hospitalised after the Crans-Montana fire.
On social media, individuals are offering free accommodations, language translation services, psychological support, and even donations of skin for grafts.
However, Marcel Schlatter, a spokesperson for the Zurich Universiy Hospital where some of the victims are being treated, declined this particular offer.
“There are so-called skin banks that have donor skin in stock,” he said. “In the first few hours after the accident, we ordered it abroad, and it was delivered to Switzerland by a courier.”
Advertisement
Swiss will vote on protecting cash
The popular initiative, will be voted on March 8th, was launched by the Swiss Freedom Movement.
It aims to guarantee the continued use of cash in Switzerland.
Furthermore, any proposal to replace the Swiss franc with another currency must be submitted to a vote by the people and the cantons.
The Federal Council has drafted a direct counter-proposal, which has been approved by the Parliament. This proposal guarantees the availability of cash and the continued use of the Swiss franc as the national currency.
The initiative committee, however, maintained its position, demanding that a sufficient supply of banknotes and coins be guaranteed. “Those who wish to pay in cash must be able to do so,” it states on its website.
Voters will weigh in on both the original initiative and the counter-proposal.
Advertisement
The population to benefit from central bank’s profits
Boosted by soaring gold and stock prices, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is expected to post a massive profit of between 11 and 16 billion francs, allowing for generous redistribution of approximately 4 billion francs to the federal government and the cantons.
However, the money will not be shared evenly among the cantons: some parts of Switzerland will receive a significantly larger share of the profits than others, with the financial situation of each dictating how it is spent.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
