SkopjeDiem Macedonia in English
The Kocani Basic Court has told Sakam Da Kazam that the decisions on short detention against eight plus six suspects in the Kocani fire case, in which 59 people were killed more than 150 injured, in order to enable the authorities to hold those detained for interrogation for over 24 hours, are being written, the portal reported on Monday evening.
Once the 48 hours pass, it will be known for which suspects a 30-day detention measure will be sought. Previously, ex-Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi and former State Market Inspectorate Director Goran Trajkovski had been taken by police in handcuffs to the Court.
The same day, Ljupco Papazov, who had earlier resigned as Kocani Mayor, was interrogated by a prosecutor, but not by a judge in the previous procedure.
Regarding Interior Minister Pance Toskovski’s comments that a former Protection and Rescue Directorate head was among those detained, the MKD portal has reported it’s about Bekim Maksuti, adding that police found weapons and ammo in his home.
Also on Monday, Toskovski, in an interview with Sitel at around 7 pm stated that “So far, there have been over 20 suspects”.
Everyone who contributed directly or indirectly to the tragedy will be held to account, the Minister noted. In the afternoon, Chief Prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski had said regarding the that the majority of suspects were being questioned over the act of grave crimes against safety of people, which provides for prison sentences of 3-20 years.
In addition, the Office is investigating cases of potential bribery, as well as unlawful procurement of pyrotechnics.
Currently, 14 people have been detained and held in police stations, including Bekteshi, Sitel said in its afternoon report. The Office will seek short detention for all.
At the current stage, they can each only be issued a 48-hour detention measure. However, once the investigation is formally opened, there is a possibility of the measure being extended to 30 days.
“Police have a legal authorisation to detain and arrest any person that contributed to the consequences, regardless of who it’s about. What I can promise is that the investigation will be swift and efficient, and that everyone responsible for wrongdoing will be held to account. I understand citizens are in huge pain and grief, but I appeal that we must act calmly and ensure we will never again face similar things”, Kocevski pointed out.
Regarding suspects currently in a difficult health condition, he stated that the procedure against them was on hold and would resume once their condition allowed further process activities.
Previously, one of the suspects in the fire, asked whether he felt responsible, he said, “We don’t feel responsible. We are heroes. We saved 200 people. I stayed in the fire until the last minute to get all children out, to save them as if they were my own. I have two juvenile kids”.
