On March 5, the Valais public prosecutor's office extended the criminal investigation to five new persons. According to the prosecutor's office, the five new accused are Nicolas Féraud, the municipal president of Crans-Montana; the former municipal councilor responsible for public safety from 2021 to 2024; the former head of the fire department; his former deputy; and a member of the current security team. The charges against the five new persons are negligent arson, negligent homicide, and negligent bodily injury.
It is unknown what specific evidence links the five new accused to the fire at 'Le Constellation'. The five new accused will now gain access to the files through their lawyers. Féraud will, as a suspect, at least gain insight into the files.
Although proceedings have been opened against Féraud, the municipality wants to continue fighting to be able to act as a private plaintiff, according to Féraud's lawyer. The lawyer stated that a distinction must be made between individuals and institutions. The outcome of the municipality's effort to act as a private plaintiff despite proceedings against its president remains uncertain.
The Valais public prosecutor's office has not yet announced any dates for the questioning of the five new accused. Aftonbladet reports that investigations are now underway against a total of nine persons: the five new suspects, the Morettis, and two former fire safety officers. The same charges have been brought against the operators of the bar 'Le Constellation', Jacques and Jessica Moretti, and the former and current security officers of the municipality of Crans-Montana, according to Aftonbladet.
In a related development, Jacques Moretti had always claimed to have bought the soundproofing mats, which caught fire on New Year's Eve, at a Hornbach store. In February, Moretti submitted a receipt showing that this was not the case. Moretti bought the mats from a company in eastern Germany.
The purchased product was advertised as non-flammable and suitable for kindergartens, schools, restaurants, and bars. The public prosecutor's office has therefore requested further information in Germany. The results of the public prosecutor's request for further information in Germany regarding the soundproofing mats are pending.
Shortly before Moretti voluntarily handed over the receipt at a police station, his apartment was searched. Investigators seized luxury watches, computer accessories, documents, and a pistol during the search. It is currently unclear whether Jacques Moretti has a firearms license.
A friend of Moretti had previously testified that he and Moretti regularly practiced at shooting ranges. Meanwhile, the Valais public prosecutor's office suffered a setback at the end of February when a French appeals court rejected a mutual legal assistance request concerning the Morettis' assets. Aftonbladet reports that the request was rejected because it related to assets that are neither directly nor indirectly connected to the offense currently under investigation.
In France, four persons are being heard by the Paris public prosecutor's office this week: three former employees of the bar 'Le Constellation' in Crans-Montana and a customer, all of whom were present on the day of the fire disaster.