Skopje, 16 April 2025 (MIA) - The Ministry of Interior has initiated criminal charges against ten police officers in relation to the March 16 fire in a Kochani nightclub that claimed 61 lives and left about 200 people injured.

The Department for Internal Control, Criminal Investigations and Professional Standards within the MoI has initiated criminal charges to the Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime and Corruption over crime "grave acts against general safety" against ten police officers.

The police officers were assigned to the posts of police commissioner and assistant commissioner in Shtip police sector, chief traffic inspector in Shtip police sector, department chief in Shtip police sector, inspector for public order in Shtip police sector, clerk in Kochani police station and commander of Kochani police station between 2012 and 2022.

They are charged with signing documents that were filed to the Ministry of Economy, approving the operation of the Pulse nightclub despite it not meeting requirements in line with the laws on hospitality, public order and traffic, as well as for failing to carry out inspections and report public order violations in the club on numerous occasions.

By committing these actions, these officials enabled legal entity "Klasik DM" DOOEL Kochani to acquire a cabaret license for the "Pulse" nightclub, the MoI said in a press release.

Of the ten police officers in question, six have been arrested, three are already detained, with one still on the run.

MIA file photo