Skopje, 17 April 2025 (MIA) - The measure effective detention is being replaced with house arrest for seven suspects in the case related to the fire at the “Pulse” nightclub in Kochani, said the Basic Court in Kochani.

On March 20, a pre-trial judge at the Court ordered detention for 24 people upon a proposal by the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Kochani. On Thursday, the Court said the measure has been replaced with house arrest for three of the 24 suspects following appeals by their attorneys, while for four others it was replaced with house arrest upon a proposal by the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Kochani.

The Court reminded that on April 12, the investigation was expanded to include 19 other people, four of who are in detention, eight are in house arrest, while precautionary measures are in place for seven suspects. The Court said it is acting upon appeals by the suspects and will inform the public about any decisions.

According to media reports, some of the suspects who have had their detention replaced with house arrest include former Kochani mayor Ljupcho Papazov and the former head of the State Market Inspectorate, Goran Trajkovski, as well as one member of the security at the nightclub.

Photo: MIA Archive