Owner of Kochani’s Pulse nightclub, Dejan Jovanov, to be released from detention on 03.10.2026

The owner of the Pulse nightclub in Kochani, Dejan Jovanov – known as “Deko”, will be released from pre-trial detention in less than a month because the law limits detention to one year from the court's assessment of the indictment. The Basic Criminal Court in Skopje confirmed that his current detention was extended only until 03.10.2026, after the indictment was assessed on 03.10.2025.

“We inform you that, the detention measure, imposed against the first accused Dejan Jovanov, by the criminal panel has been extended until 03.10.2026, taking into account that the Indictment was assessed on 03.10.2025 and pursuant to legal provisions the detention measure may last up to a maximum of one year from the assessment of the indictment. In order to ensure uninterrupted presence in the further part of the court proceedings, the Court, in accordance with past practice, ex officio, after the expiry of the legal term for the detention measure, shall determine additional precautionary measures and measures for securing the accused” said the Basic Criminal Court – Skopje.

Jovanov was detained immediately after the catastrophic fire at the Pulse nightclub on 16 March 2025; pre-trial detention was ordered on 23 March 2025. The trial against him and 33 other defendants began in November and is ongoing; prosecutors and observers expect it to be among the longest and most complex criminal proceedings in the country.

Court signals further safeguards when detention term expires

Among the other defendants is Jovanov’s brother, Todor Jovanov, whose house arrest was revoked after he provided a guarantee of roughly €320,000 in real estate. Jovanov’s son is also accused but so far subject only to precautionary measures. Dejan Jovanov asked several times to be released from detention on health grounds, but the court rejected those requests. Relatives of the victims reacted strongly to the release petitions, saying such moves create an impression that the case and the human lives lost are being sidelined.

Detention had been imposed because of flight risk; with the expiry of the legal one-year limit, and Jovanov’s expected release on 03.10.2026, he will no longer remain in custody and will not have an active guarantee that would physically prevent flight. The court says it will, as a matter of practice, set alternative precautionary and securing measures to ensure the accused’s presence in future hearings.

In recent months the court accepted guarantees and released from house arrest several other defendants, including Jane Janchevski, Mitko Stojanov, Martin Gjorgiev, Stojancho Dimitriev and Bekim Hadziu. The court emphasized that these released defendants remain subject to alternative measures and are required to appear at scheduled proceedings.

Photo: press material from the event