Overview
- Jacques and Jessica Moretti say they will compensate victims and families even if parts of the case are time‑barred, issuing time‑limited waivers of limitation defenses that Swiss law permits without admitting fault.
- After a New Year’s Eve fire that killed about 40 people and injured more than 100, investigators are scrutinizing when the bar was last renovated and what later inspections found.
- Legal experts note that documented, unremedied safety defects in inspections after 2015 could prevent time‑bar defenses, keeping potential claims alive.
- Valais prosecutors are investigating negligent homicide, bodily injury and negligent arson; the couple are free on 400,000‑franc bail and are due for further questioning on February 11–12.
- In a two‑page letter to staff, the owners expressed remorse, vowed not to abandon employees, and said salaries were transferred despite frozen accounts as they seek a partial unfreeze; Valais has also authorized legal assistance to Rome prosecutors given the many Italian victims.