Because of a problematic list President of the Valais Judicial Council steps down
Following the fire disaster in Crans-Montana, the Valais investigating authorities are coming under further pressure. Now the President of the Judicial Council, Basile Couchepin, declares his resignation - because of a controversial list of victims' lawyers.
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- The President of the Valais Judicial Council, Basile Couchepin, is stepping down in the Crans-Montana case.
- The background to this is a list of victims' lawyers sent out by the police, which included his name.
- Couchepin denies any knowledge of this, but wants to avoid any appearance of bias.
Following the fatal fire in the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, the Valais judiciary is still under particular scrutiny. As Couchepin explained at the request of the Tamedia newspapers, he is standing down in connection with the proceedings. All questions concerning the conduct of the investigation by the public prosecutor's office are affected.
The Judicial Council is the cantonal supervisory body for the courts and the public prosecutor's office. Couchepin has chaired the committee since last summer.
Specifically, it concerns a list of three lawyers that a Valais police officer had sent to those affected by the fire disaster. According to the accompanying letter, it was intended to help "follow up and coordinate complaints". The list came from the public prosecutor's office - and was later withdrawn.
Couchepin wants to "avoid the appearance of bias"
Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud admitted that the mailing had been a mistake. Victims' lawyers had previously criticized that the procedure could give the impression that the choice of legal representation was being influenced.
Basile Couchepin's name was also on the list. He emphasized that he had no knowledge of this. "I was neither informed nor was I involved in the procedure in any way," he explained in writing. Moreover, the cantonal police were not subject to the supervision of the Justice Council.
Nevertheless, Couchepin is drawing the consequences: "In order to avoid any appearance of bias", he is stepping down. The aim is to ensure the smooth functioning of the institution.
Several Couchepins in different roles
The Judicial Council consists of nine members, the President's withdrawal does not paralyze the body - but it does raise questions about the proximity between politics, the judiciary and the legal profession.
Several bearers of the Couchepin name are involved in different roles. For example, Gaspard Couchepin represents the municipality of Crans-Montana, which in turn wants to participate in the proceedings as a private plaintiff.
The fire disaster, which claimed 40 lives and injured over 100 people, is considered one of the worst accidents in Switzerland in recent decades. Victims' lawyers have been criticizing individual procedural steps taken by the public prosecutor's office since the beginning.
