Tensions at the Idrizovo courtroom as some victims' parents leave; accused Dejan Jovanov‑Deko falls ill
Relatives reacted during testimony by technical adviser Petre Ruseski and briefly left the courtroom; the defendant reported dizziness and the court paused.
Published: 01 October, 2026 14:07. Tensions flared at the courtroom in Idrizovo today when some of the relatives of those killed in the Puls nightclub fire walked out during the hearing of technical adviser Petre Ruseski.
The disturbance was triggered during questions from defence lawyer Ivana Kocevska, who represents the first accused, Dejan Jovanov‑Deko, and by Ruseski's answers about the intended purpose of the building that housed the nightclub. Ruseski's testimony — part of the defence's challenge to elements of the expert report from the Faculty of Civil Engineering — stated that the object had been designed as a business‑production facility.
Parents' reaction and brief adjournment
Relatives reacted strongly to the description of the building; the lawyer also referred to the parents present as "the public," after which those relatives insisted they are "injured parties" in the proceedings. At the judge's request some parents left the courtroom to calm down. After a short break and with the court's permission they returned and the hearing resumed.
During the session the first accused, Dejan Jovanov‑Deko, left the courtroom accompanied by a prison officer, saying he felt dizzy and unwell. The court granted an additional pause and said it will decide whether medical intervention is needed and whether the hearing will continue.
Ruseski is answering questions connected to his engagement by the defence to dispute parts of the Faculty of Civil Engineering's expert findings. The hearing is expected to proceed once the court rules on the defendant's condition.
Pre‑trial detention for the first accused expires on 3 October 2026; his defence has already announced it will offer a property guarantee worth nearly 200,000 euros. The fire at the Puls nightclub in Kočani broke out on 16 March 2025 during a performance by the band DNK; 63 people died and more than 200 were injured.
Photo: press material from the event
