Probishtip police say they received only oral orders while on duty at Pulse
At the trial over the March 16 fire, officers among 13 defendants testified they were not informed about safety risks.
Police officers from Probishtip who were deployed to Kocani on the night of the Pulse nightclub disaster testified that they had received oral instructions rather than written orders. Several officers and their supervisors told the court that they were not briefed in advance on the tasks they would perform or on potential safety hazards.
According to the testimony, the officers followed directions from on-site superiors and only learned at the scene that an operation targeting drugs would be carried out in several cafés. The witnesses said they therefore did not know what security risks they might face while on the assignment.
The detail that the orders were oral and not in writing was singled out as particularly inexplicable by relatives of the victims, who attended the hearing.
Trial and casualties
The case on trial concerns alleged failure to act during official duties by police officers who were present at Pulse during the fire on 16 March last year. The blaze claimed the lives of 63 young people and left more than 200 injured.
Thirteen police officers are charged in connection with the events. During today’s proceedings several of those called to give evidence described limited prior information about the scope and nature of their assignment.
The court will continue to hear testimony as the prosecution and defence present their versions of the events and the extent of the officers’ responsibilities on that night.
Photo: press material from the event
