Skopje, 17 March 2025 (MIA) - About 20 people are now considered suspects for the Kochani nightclub tragedy, including a former minister, state secretary, institutions' directors, sector managers, business owners, security, says Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski.

"They are suspected of crimes 'causing general danger' and 'severe acts against general safety'. The public will witness again that this comes as a result of bribe and corruption. Documents were issued contrary to all regulations. Corruption has destroyed Macedonia and now we have lost 60 young people as a result. We must be committed to showing that we have the capacity to enable justice," Minister Toshkovski told Sitel.

I understand the people's anger, the despair and the disappointment, he says, but we must be reasonable and keep by the letter of the law, taking actions that would lead to justice being served.

"We cannot reach justice through injustice. We must be reasonable and call for reason. We must allow for the MoI and the Public Prosecutor's Office to do their job. Even if it is my brother, he will be held responsible. The public will see the difference compared to how things were done before. All those who took part or committed breaches will be held responsible," says Toshkovski.

The MoI notes that checks are being made in the Ministry of Interior, the State Market Inspectorate, the State Labor Inspectorate, the Protection and Rescue Directorate and other legal entities that were authorized to sign certain documents.

He adds there is no culture of abiding by laws in the country.

"There is horrific impunity, horrific corruption and horrific lack of respect of the rules of the game," says Toshkovski and calls for reason in the society and letting law enforcement do its job "in order to bring our country back to normal".

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