• Tuesday, 13 May 2025
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Families of Kochani fire victims demand justice at protest march

Families of Kochani fire victims demand justice at protest march

Kochani, 19 April 2025 (MIA) – The third protest march took place in Kochani on Saturday under the motto "Delayed Response," organized by the families of the victims in the tragic fire at the "Pulse" nightclub.

The march began at 12:05 pm from the Park of the Revolution towards the shopping center and the Kochani Municipality building, and the citizens then proceeded towards the town's police station, the Court and the Prosecutor's Office.

"Prosecutors, did our mourning, silence and grief for our children who were killed give you the right to release people who were detained and who are accomplices in the murder of our children?" the citizens called for answers.

Julija Zlatkova, whose son died in the fire, said protests will continue until justice is served.

"We will continue to protest and remind the leaders of this rotten country that we are here and until our last breath we will demand justice for all those who died and were injured on March 16. We buried our children because of someone's mistakes, because someone was corrupt, because someone had abused their office for money, for personal gain. Our children are gone, but justice must come to light," said Zlatkova. 

In front of the Kochani Municipality building, the citizens said they will closely monitor the work of the competent inspection services, while Acting Mayor Venko Krstevski gave them full support, pointing out that they would not be alone in seeking justice, because, he stressed, everyone needs to change the dysfunctional system together.

Gathered in front of the police station, the families of the victims called for answers why the police officers who were last involved in the Prosecutor's Office investigation were released home.

The citizens expressed dissatisfaction with the untimely response to prevent the tragedy, noting that police officers present in front of the nightclub on the night of the tragedy had not helped in rescuing the injured. 

The parents of those killed in the tragic fire expressed their grief and revolt before the Court and the Prosecutor's Office in Kochani, mentioning the names of their children and the plans each had for the future.

Today's protest march ended in the Park of the Revolution, and citizens said the protests will continue every Saturday until they see the justice they seek for their loved ones.

Photo: MIA