Retrial in Pulse nightclub fire continues; defence to present evidence
The hearing at the Idrizovo courtroom continues with the defence expected to call witnesses in the case that killed 63 people.
The retrial over the deadly fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani resumed today in the courtroom at Idrizovo, part of the Basic Criminal Court Skopje. The blaze, which claimed 63 lives and injured more than 200 people, is once again in the evidentiary phase.
Defence to start presenting its evidence
The hearing continued with the defence due to call witnesses and introduce evidence. At the previous session the defence's technical expert from the construction field, Petre Rusevski, who was proposed by the first accused Dejan Jovanov (the owner of the nightclub), testified about the nature of the works carried out on the premises.
Rusevski told the court that the lessee did not undertake construction works that could be classified as a reconstruction of the building, but instead carried out craft and interior finishing works intended for the business activity.
Relatives of the victims reacted strongly to those statements, calling the first accused a "killer", after which the court asked some of the relatives to leave the courtroom.
Prosecutors have already completed their presentation of evidence: they introduced 1,390 material exhibits and heard 45 witnesses and five expert witnesses. The defence has announced it intends to call 244 witnesses.
Photo: press material from the event
