Mass brawl outside Kočani police station leaves several hurt, four detained
Ministry of Internal Affairs: scuffle occurred on August 15 at 19:15 on Todosija Paunov Street; six people were involved and internal police units will investigate.
A mass fight erupted on the evening of August 15, 2026 in front of the Kočani Police Station, leaving several people injured and resulting in four arrests, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.
“Yesterday (15.08.2026) at 19:15, police officers from the Kočani Police Station detained Zh.V.(22), J.V.(19) and M.V.(47), all from Kočani, as well as I.A.(46) from the village of Banica, Strumica region. The persons were detained because, following a prior argument on Todosija Paunov Street in Kočani, they disturbed public order and peace with a physical altercation in which six people took part.
Following the measures taken and full documentation of the incident, appropriate charges were filed against the persons. To fully clarify the incident and determine all circumstances and any possible shortcomings in the handling, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reports that the Department for Internal Control, Criminal Investigations and Professional Standards and the Uniformed Police Department will be involved.”
Police said the suspected participants were detained at the scene and criminal reports were submitted after officers completed initial investigative steps. Authorities have not published a precise count of the injured, only saying that several people required medical attention.
Footage of the confrontation had been circulating on social networks earlier; the ministry confirmed those recordings and said they will be used as part of the documentation. Prosecutors will review the case once police hand over their materials.
The Ministry added that investigators will look into whether police followed proper procedure during the response and that the internal oversight units named will take part in that review.
Photo: printskrin / MVR
