Kocevski: Investigation of the fire in Kocani is in an extremely important stage, there is no selectivity

Public prosecutors working on an investigation into the fire in Kocani are currently being heard by witnesses and damaged persons who know something about the event, meanwhile, are also coordinating with skilled persons in the investigation, said National Public Prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski, today, before the start of the Public Prosecutor session.

Asked whether the investigation into the police officers who was in the Pulse disco, Kocevski said that until the end of the investigation could be expanded, it is possible, but, he says, it depends on the evidence and what public prosecutors will provide. According to Kocevski, there is no selectivity in the investigation so far, and there will be no further.

– There is a procedure for 14 or 15 persons in the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime. There is no selectivity so far, there will be no further. As I have already said, until the end of the investigation is possible to expand, but it depends on the evidence and what public prosecutors will provide. The investigation is at an extremely important stage now, so I cannot share more detailed information on investigations that are being conducted –
said Kocevski.

Asked whether the procedure is possible, given that it is an extensive investigation with many suspects, Kocevski said that, according to him, the procedure would not be prolonged, given the current dynamics of public prosecutors.

– There are currently public prosecutors working in both Kocani and Skopje, so that according to the dynamics they work, I think there will be no problem to complete the procedure within the prescribed deadline – said Kocevski.

Asked whether he is facing any pressures on how to conduct the investigation, given the fact that the ruling set, earlier, intended to launch a procedure for his dismissal, Kocevski said I had no pressures or threats from the initiation of the investigation.

– I have said the same thing several times, it is a political decision. I have no pressures or possible threats to that part of that part of the investigation at the moment – said Kocevski.

Kocevski also pointed out that on the prosecution’s website everyone can share information about the event, guaranteeing that it is confidential and will not go public.

In the fire at the Pulse disco in Kocani on March 16, 62 people were killed and nearly 200 were related. Some of the injured were hospitalized in the country, and some were taken to treatment abroad.