Skopje, 16 April 2025 (MIA) – Six out of seven police officers suspected of "grave acts against general safety" in connection with the Kochani fire, against whom the Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday sought precautionary measures, have been brought before the Skopje-based Criminal Court. 

The Criminal Court confirms that six police officers have been brought before a pre-trial judge, who is to reach a decision on the request from the Prosecutor's Office over ordering precautionary measures.

The Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday opened an investigation against ten police officers over the fire in Kochani. Precautionary measures are proposed against seven suspects, while the remaining three suspects, the Prosecutor's Office notes, are included in the preliminary procedure.

"In this specific case, there is a reasonable suspicion that the suspects, as co-offenders, committed the crime of "grave acts against general safety", in the period from December 7, 2012 to January 21, 2022," says the Prosecutor's Office. 

According to the order for conducting an investigation, the suspects, as officials employed in the Shtip police sector and the Kochani police station, during the above-mentioned period, and as co-offenders, did not act in line with regulations on protection measures - they failed to carry out complete and detailed inspection over issuing a cabaret license for the "Pulse" nightclub, in the area concerning ​​traffic safety and public peace and order.  

By committing these actions, these officials enabled the legal entity to acquire a cabaret license, despite it not meeting requirements.

The specialized department for the prosecution of crimes committed by persons with police authority and members of the prison police, it adds, continues pre-trial investigation aimed at discovering other people involved in the case.

Criminal charges were initiated on Wednesday against ten police officers in relation to the March 16 fire in the Kochani nightclub that claimed 61 lives and left about 200 people injured.

Photo: MIA