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Italy Deepens Role in Crans‑Montana Fire Case With Ambassador’s Return and Civil‑Party Bid

The shift points to tighter cooperation with Swiss prosecutors after Italy’s rare diplomatic protest.

Overview

  • The Italian government, which announced the moves Thursday, will ask to join the criminal case as a civil party to support victims’ families and press its interests.
  • Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado returned to Bern to check firsthand how well Swiss and Italian authorities are sharing evidence and advancing the probe.
  • Swiss prosecutors postponed nightclub owner Jacques Moretti’s April 7 questioning after his lawyer filed medical notes citing reactive depression, confusion, amnesia, and severe sleep loss.
  • The Valais inquiry lists Moretti, his wife who helped run Le Constellation, and the Crans‑Montana mayor as suspects for involuntary manslaughter and negligent arson.
  • Italy had recalled Cornado in January over the decision to free Moretti, then moved toward cooperation that included Rome prosecutor Stefano Opilio reviewing the Sion case file, while a new Milan foundation honors victim Chiara Costanzo by aiding ambitious students with limited means.