Kochani, 16 October 2025 (MIA) – The parents and family members of the teenagers and young adults killed in the Kochani nightclub fire this past March said Thursday in a press release they expect a fair, transparent and unbiased trial after the Skopje-based Criminal Court earlier today said the trial involving the deadly fire will begin in the courtroom at the Idrizovo penitentiary on November 19.

“We, the parents and family members of the killed teenagers, will closely follow the trial with the sole objective – the truth to come out and justice to prevail for the young lives lost in the tragedy that has forever changed our society,” said the press release.

We, it added, expect a fair, transparent and unbiased process in which everyone that should will be held accountable. 

“Our grief is never-ending, but we also fight for all future generations – such tragedy to never happen again.”

“We want the public, media outlets and the institutions to follow this process with due attention because this isn’t a trial about a fire – it is a trial involving humanity and responsibility,” said the press release.

In it, it is announced that the daily blockades will be suspended after a trial was set, but marches, held every Saturday, will continue “as a symbol of persistence in the fight against the truth.” 

The fire that broke out in the Pulse nightclub on March 16 claimed the lives of 63 young people and left over 200 injured.

Photo: MIA