49th March for the Angels in Kocani — parents demand accountability

Parents of those who died in the March 16 fire at the Puls nightclub, joined by citizens, marched through Kocani today for the 49th time to remember their children. Walking with heart-shaped banners bearing the victims’ names, they stopped at the roundabout on Stevo Teodosievski Boulevard and lit candles to mark exactly a year and a half since the tragedy.

Unlike previous gatherings, this time the parents made only one public address, in front of the Basic Court, which lasted more than ten minutes. The strongest reaction from the crowd came when speakers warned that the custody of Puls owner Dejan Jovanov is approaching the one-year limit since the indictment was filed, and that property has been offered as a guarantee for his release.

Parents demand full scrutiny of the club's operation

“Two days before this march, from Deko’s defence we heard that custody could not be extended ‘unless a new criminal offence is invented’ and that if there had been another offence there would already be proceedings. At the same time, property is being offered as a guarantee for his release. And the word ‘guarantee’ particularly hurts. And we, the parents, ask: Who guaranteed the safety of our children when they entered Puls?” said Valentina Hristovska, mother of the deceased Pavel Hristovski.

Hristovska told the courtroom that their children had the right to assume the venue was safe and that authorities had previously checked conditions for its operation. Through her address, the parents demanded a full investigation of every aspect related to Puls: the reconstruction and repurposing of the building into a cabaret, the issuance of licenses, inspections that were carried out, the venue’s finances, the event registration, the introduction of pyrotechnics, the venue’s capacity, and claims made at trial that inspections were announced in advance.

“Let the Court decide on custody according to the law and the evidence. But we ask that the law be a guarantee — a guarantee that no omission will remain unchecked, no illegality unspoken and no responsibility unexamined,” Hristovska said, adding that parents will continue to press for answers and accountability.

“Our children cannot speak today. We are their voice. And until we obtain the whole truth — that voice will not fall silent,” she said emphatically.

The 49th March for the Angels set off from the Park of the Revolution, crossed the bridge by the shopping centre and paused in front of the Public Revenue Office (UJP) and the police building. Participants concluded at the roundabout on Stevo Teodosievski Boulevard, where candles were lit in memory of all who died.

Photo: press material from the event