The investigation into the Kocani fire has ended. 46 have been charged with grave crimes against general safety, the Kocani Prosecutor’s Office has said.
The suspects’ defense will be able to conduct insight into evidence and present its own pieces of evidence, which will be followed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s decision. 13 prosecutors from Kocani, Stip, Skopje, and Kumanovo were involved in the procedure to gather evidence and documentation from the scene and other locations.
According to the Office, detailed findings have been secured when it comes to the autopsy procedures of those killed in the 16 March fire, as well as about the nature of injuries of those injured in the tragedy.
Also, construction and chemical expertise has been drawn up to check the circumstances of the Pulse facility, safety standards, the way in which the fire broke out, and the way in which it spread.
A graphological expertise process, too, has been carried out with regards to the club’s documentation. During the investigation, there was a hearing process of around 400 witnesses and injured parties, while suspects, too, were questioned. Data from many computers and cell phones were extracted and analyzed.
“Regarding the club’s functioning and operations, upon an instruction from a public prosecutor, checks were also being performed by the Financial Police Administration as well”, it is added in the press-release.
The Specialized Department has already carried out an investigation against 14 police officers. If evidence shows elements of crime committed by other persons that have so far not been covered by the process, the Office will act according to its competences.