Constellation Bar Fire: Thibault Beytrison Becomes the 16th Defendant

Herz — Switzerland Desk · 18 August 2026 at 06:06 · 30s summary · 1 min read

What we know

Thibault Beytrison, a former municipal councillor in Crans-Montana, was indicted last week in the Constellation bar fire case, according to RTS, which revealed the information on August 18, 2026. He becomes the 16th defendant in the proceedings.

He is being prosecuted for negligent homicide, negligent arson, and negligent grievous bodily harm — the same charges as the 14 other municipal officials and employees implicated in the case.

The deadly fire occurred on New Year's Eve at the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Valais canton.

Who is Thibault Beytrison?

Thibault Beytrison headed the Fire Rescue Centre in Crans-Montana — the local fire brigade — from 2008 to 2014. He subsequently served as the municipal official responsible for community security from 2017 to 2020.

His successors in community security, Kevin Barras and Patrick Clivaz, had already been indicted before him, according to Watson.

The 16 defendants

The criminal proceedings now involve 16 people: seven elected or former municipal councillors, seven municipal or former municipal employees, as well as the bar owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti.

Rose-Marie Clavien, a former municipal councillor, is being interviewed by police in the status of "person called to provide information" — an intermediate position between that of a witness and that of a defendant.

Timeline of upcoming hearings

Jacques and Jessica Moretti will be heard in two new confrontation hearings, in late October and early December. An initial hearing was held on June 5.