SkopjeDiem Macedonia in English
“Instead of true justice and accountability, we’ve witnessed a selective investigation into the Kocani fire and silence about the accountability of current officials of [VMRO-]DPMNE and chiefs appointed by [Interior Minister Pance] Toskovski”, SDSM said on Tuesday.
The party asked in the press-release how it was possible for the investigation to “ignore” chiefs and holders of managerial positions at the Stip Internal Affairs Sector and Kocani Internal Affairs Department that, on the night of the fire, had been directly responsible to prevent the tragedy.
“Seven commanders, chiefs, and deputy commanders of police had clear legal competences regarding the safety of premises, presence of juveniles, and use of pyrotechnics. Police were at the facility, saw juveniles, saw pyrotechnics, saw a bigger number of people that were present, but they failed to take action. Had they taken action, the tragedy would have possibly been prevented. Lives would have been saved”, it added.
When it comes to Ex-Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi, on Tuesday, the Stip Court of Appeals said that it would most likely make on Wednesday (23 April) a decision on his appeal for the detention measure to be replaced with milder ones.
