The preventive detention of Jacques Moretti, manager of a bar in Crans-Montana, has been formally confirmed and extended for an initial period of three months by the Tribunal of Coercive Measures of the Canton of Valais.
The decision was issued on Monday, January 12, 2026, following a request by the Valais public prosecutor’s office. It confirms a detention order first imposed on Friday, January 9, 2026, after a lengthy interrogation lasting more than six hours.
A Detention Based on One Single Ground
According to information made public, the preventive detention is based on one sole justification: a concrete risk of flight.
No risk of collusion with other parties has been mentioned publicly. No risk of reoffending has been cited either. The court’s reasoning focuses exclusively on the concern that the suspect could leave Swiss territory to evade judicial proceedings.
This distinction is central to understanding the legal weight of the decision.
Nationality and International Mobility at the Center
The risk of flight identified by prosecutors is closely linked to Moretti’s French nationality. Authorities have noted that France does not extradite its own nationals, a factor that significantly complicates cross-border judicial cooperation if a suspect were to leave Switzerland.
In addition, prosecutors highlighted Moretti’s international mobility, including prior movements and foreign ties. These elements, taken together, were deemed sufficient to justify preventive detention.
Judicial Review Within Legal Deadlines
Swiss law requires that preventive detention ordered by prosecutors be reviewed by a court within strict deadlines. In this case, the Tribunal of Coercive Measures examined the request within the legally mandated 48-hour period.
On Monday, the court confirmed the detention and set its duration at three months, which represents the maximum initial period allowed under Swiss law for this type of detention.
What Happens After Three Months
At the end of the three-month period, the case will return before judicial authorities for a new assessment.
Several outcomes will then be possible:
A prolongation of preventive detention
The imposition of substitute measures, such as bail or house arrest
Or release, if the risk of flight is deemed sufficiently mitigated
The decision will depend on how the investigation evolves and whether authorities believe the identified risk still exists.
Preventive Detention Under Swiss Law
Preventive detention in Switzerland is not a punitive measure. It is designed to secure the proper conduct of criminal proceedings when certain risks are present, such as flight, collusion, or reoffending.
In Moretti’s case, only one of these risks has been retained — flight — making the legal framing particularly narrow and precise.
A Case Under Close Scrutiny
The confirmation of detention has drawn attention because of its strictly limited justification. Observers note that it underscores how seriously Swiss courts treat the possibility of suspects leaving the country when extradition may not be guaranteed.
The absence of publicly stated concerns about collusion or recidivism has also fueled debate about proportionality and judicial caution.
Legal Stakes Moving Forward
For Moretti, the next three months will be decisive. His legal team may seek to challenge the continued necessity of detention or propose alternative measures that address the court’s concerns without depriving him of liberty.
For prosecutors, maintaining detention will require demonstrating that the risk of flight remains concrete and unresolved.
Conclusion
The confirmation of three months of preventive detention for Jacques Moretti marks a critical stage in the legal proceedings surrounding the Crans-Montana bar case. Based solely on the risk of flight, the decision reflects the Swiss judiciary’s cautious approach when international factors complicate potential extradition.
As the investigation continues, all eyes will turn to the next judicial review, where the balance between individual liberty and procedural security will once again be tested.
