The Interior Ministry has confirmed for Telma it has lost court cases over civil lawsuits filed by 11 police officers that were named suspects in the Kochani fire case.
The institution didn’t suspend them after the investigation had been opened, but rather put their employment on hold, which resulted in them not getting pay not having social and health insurance, though there was neither a charge nor an effective verdict.
The Ministry, however, has appealed the verdict on compensation. Toshkovski’s institution explains that the decision to put employment on hold was made because the officers were issued means of precaution, including a ban on performing the work task of police officer.
However, instead of them being suspended, as was the practice according to laws and the collective agreement, the decision putting their employment on hold was made.
The Ministry has also told Telma that requests for dismissal were filed against 13 suspected officers, but those measures cannot be implemented due to the investigation.