Crans-Montana, the municipality allocates one million francs for the victims
The Prosecutor's Office in Sion will not grant the request of Mr and Mrs Moretti, owners of the Constellation, to black out the online platform where photos and videos of the tragedy are collected
The municipality of Crans-Montana has earmarked one million francs for the Foundation to help victims of the New Year's Eve fire, which is currently being set up. "We are aware that the money will not erase any wounds, but we hope to be able to support the families affected by this tragedy and to show the solidarity of the Crans-Montana community," explained mayor Nicolas Féraud in a note.
"Donation independent of compensation"
The donation of one million francs decided by the municipality of Crans-Montana "is independent of any compensation for damages that may be determined later on," the administration points out, recalling that it is "collaborating with the competent authorities and will meet the responsibilities that will be determined by the courts. According to the municipality, 'in relation to the number of inhabitants of the municipality', the allocation 'represents an approximate figure of 100 francs per person'. And "by adding the cantonal contribution, each citizen of the municipality of Crans-Montana will contribute around 130 francs". "The municipal council is convinced that the vast majority of the citizens of Crans-Montana," explains mayor Nicolas Féraud, "are willing to donate 100 francs per inhabitant as a sign of solidarity with the families and people affected.
Moretti requests website on Crans fire to be blacked out, public prosecutor opposes
The Prosecutor's Office of Sion will not grant the request of the Moretti couple, owners of the Constellation, to obscure the online platform where the photos and videos of the tragedy are collected. The initiative, initiated by lawyer Romain Jordan, who represents several families of the victims of the New Year's Eve tragedy, had been opposed by Patrick Michod, lawyer of Jacques Moretti, in a petition filed ten days ago. According to him, only the criminal authorities, and not the parties' lawyers, would be entitled to administer the evidence. But for the Valais public prosecutor's office - quoted by Swiss television station Leman Bleu - Swiss law does not prevent the parties from gathering evidence to be submitted to the public prosecutor's office for evaluation.
The magistrates investigating the massacre also believe that there is no risk of potential witnesses being conditioned, as lawyer Jordan would simply provide them with a platform for the transmission of documents, without activating any interaction. The introductory page of the platform, at crans.merkt.ch, states: 'If you were a witness to the tragedy at Crans-Montana and/or have photos, videos, revelations or information, you can share them here anonymously. We invite you to keep your original data and encourage you to also contact the police or the Public Ministry: investigations-constellation@police.vs.ch'.
