North Macedonia’s chief prosecutor Ljupčo Kocevski announced tonight that seven more police officers are being detained in connection with the deadly fire at nightclub “Puls” in Kočani, bringing the total number of police suspects to 14.In an interview with Telma TV, Kocevski stated that orders for their arrest were issued earlier today, and the officers are expected to appear before a preliminary court judge tomorrow. He did not confirm whether the individuals are active-duty or former officers.
The new arrests expand the probe led by the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Corruption, which is handling the segment of the case related to law enforcement’s alleged negligence or complicity.
Previously, seven police officers from Kočani and Štip had already been detained. So far, prosecutors in Kočani have launched an investigation against 45 individuals and three legal entities, with one suspect having since passed away.
The March 16 fire, which broke out during a DNK band concert due to the use of pyrotechnics, resulted in the death of 61 people and injured nearly 200 others. Authorities estimate around 500 people were inside the club at the time.
The disaster, one of the deadliest in the country’s recent history, has prompted widespread public outcry and intensified scrutiny of safety regulations and police oversight.
