On Friday, the Government refuted claims by parents of those killed in the Kocani fire regarding “price” comments made by PM Hristijan Mickoski at a 7 July meeting on the issue. As it said, there is malicious defocusing and misuse of the tragic fate, as well as an attempt to paint a wrong picture of the cabinet’s intentions and actions.
“The Government will always be here for the families. As far as our engagement and what depends on us is concerned, we will try for there to be justice and fight for some comfort to be found if it can be found”, it stressed, adding that the joint pain and grief couldn’t be measured, but rather it was proven by the cabinet current and planned actions.
However, in response, the parents, through the 16 March Association, said it was not true that they were telling lies. As it stressed, the entire conversation at the cabinet of PM Hristijan Mickoski was recorded.
The Association added that if the PM truly backed his words and believed in transparency and honesty, he should publish the full video of the meeting in order for the public itself to see the truth. Commenting on the matter, SDSM levelled fierce criticism of the PM, stressing that “cruelty and arrogance” had been exposed and that Mickoski had the duty not only to apologise, but also to be held to account.
“This is not a matter of political points, but rather one of minimum human dignity he violated. We demand that he apologise to the families right away”, the party stressed.
Also on Friday, the Criminal Court stated that the house arrest and detention measures of four and 11 persons covered in the Kocani fire case, respectively, had been extended. The Skopje Prosecutor’s Office will act upon the case.