Swiss bar fire owner detained in abuse case, media says

Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Swiss bar where a New Year fire killed 41 people, has been arrested and placed in pre-trial detention after alleged violence against his wife and co-owner Jessica Moretti, local Geneva broadcaster Leman Bleu reported.

The alleged incident reportedly happened on the night of August 11 at the couple's home in Switzerland's southwestern Wallis canton. Leman Bleu reported that Jessica Moretti had to be hospitalised.

Jacques and Jessica Moretti have faced scrutiny since the January 1 fire at Le Constellation in the Crans-Montana ski resort. The blaze killed 41 people, most of them teenagers, and injured 115 others.

The Morettis are among 16 people facing criminal investigation in the fire case, with charges including manslaughter by negligence and arson by negligence.

The public prosecutor's office and the couple's lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Morettis' lawyers later issued a statement saying the reported events were being investigated in a separate case relating exclusively to their private life and "should not be confused with the Constellation tragedy".