Nearly a year after the Kochani fire trial began, the case has entered a new phase. As of Thursday, the defense has begun presenting its testimonial and material evidence, proposing 244 witnesses.
A construction expert witness engaged by the owner of Pulse, defendant Dejan Jovanov, claimed that light artisan work, not reconstruction activities, had been carried out on the premises.
The families of the victims reacted fiercely to his claims, whereupon Dejan Jovanov turned toward them, which further upset them. Judge Diana Gruevska Ilievska ordered them to leave the courtroom, after which court police escorted them outside.
Later on Thursday, the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecuting Organized Crime and Corruption announced that it had opened a new investigation against Jovanov. He is suspected of bribing an Economy Ministry official to issue an operating license for Pulse.
Jovanov is scheduled to be released from detention on Saturday, but the Office is now seeking detention as part of the new investigation as well. The Criminal Court will rule on Friday (October 2) on the proposal.