A house goes up in smoke amid marital conflict. It was August 7, 2023, in the evening. A man set fire to his home in a residential area of Moutier. More than a year after the events, his trial opened this Tuesday before the judges of the Jura Bernois-Seeland Court. It is initially a story of separation between a man and a woman. And very quickly a conflict, mainly linked to the alimony that he should have paid to his ex-wife, mother of his children. In the months following the clash, threats were made. He promises to “ruin her life” according to the terms which appear in the indictment. The escalation takes the accused to this ultimatum which he poses to his wife on the evening of the tragedy. In a message, he gives her five minutes to give up co-ownership of the house, also to lower her financial claims. Otherwise it would burn everything. She alerts the police, but it’s too late. When the police arrived, the entire building was engulfed in flames. The defendant had previously doused the parts with diesel and methylated spirits. According to the Public Ministry, he had taken all measures so that nothing could prevent the fire from spreading. The defendant must answer for intentional arson, insults, threats and attempted coercion. The court’s verdict is expected on Thursday afternoon. /oza
Swiss
