The detention measure against Saban Saliu, who’s a suspect in the Kocani fire case in the capacity of former Protection and Rescue Directorate Director, has been abolished by the Stip Court of Appeals. Saliu, who currently serves as Minister without Portfolio, has been issued measures of precaution instead.
When it comes to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, it said on Saturday that prosecutors working on the case would start a hearing process involving the families of those killed in the 16 March tragedy.
“Through their statements before a public prosecutor, they will be able to exercise their rights as injured parties and join the criminal prosecution. Also, they will be able to get directly briefed on the course and stage of the procedure, but also to present their information on the event.
To that end, in the next two days, in cooperation with Support Kocani volunteers, the Office will contact the closest ones of those killed in order for the exact time and venue in which they will be able to exercise this right of theirs. The hearings will take place according to a determined schedule, from 27 to 29 May, on the Office’s premises, in agreement with the injured parties”, it pointed out in the press-release.
Saturday also saw a new protest march in Kocani. Again, relatives of those killed and injured in the fire, as well as other citizens, said they were calling for unselective justice, strictest penalization for those responsible for the tragedy, and better conditions for treatment of those injured. Regarding the so-called invitation from the Office, the parents said they would go if there were other suspects.
“If there aren’t, there is no reason for them to be dragging us at institutions. Nobody has called us, nobody hasn’t even dialed our phone number. They need to be investigating”, it was pointed out.
On Sunday, there was a humanitarian race in Skopje, Bitola, Strumica, Veles, Struga, Tetovo, and Kriva Palanka. All proceeds will be allocated to support those affected by the fire.