Owner of Pulse nightclub in Kočani released from pretrial detention and to stand trial at liberty

Dejan Jovanov Deko, the owner of the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, where a tragic fire caused the deaths of 63 people, is expected to be released from pretrial detention in less than a month.

The news was confirmed to Telma television by the Criminal Court in Skopje. According to the court, Jovanov’s latest pretrial detention order runs until October 3. After that date, he will defend himself while at liberty, as the law allows a person to be held in pretrial detention for a maximum of one year from the time the indictment is reviewed.

“We inform you that the pretrial detention measure imposed on the first defendant, Dejan Jovanov, was extended by the criminal panel until 03.10.2026, given that the indictment was reviewed on 03.10.2025 and, under the legal provisions, pretrial detention may last for a maximum of one year from the review of the indictment. In order to ensure his unhindered presence during the further proceedings, the Court, in line with its practice to date, imposes additional precautionary measures and measures to secure the defendant after the legal period for pretrial detention expires,” the Basic Criminal Court in Skopje told Telma.

Jovanov was arrested immediately after the fire at the nightclub on March 16, while on March 23 he was placed in pretrial detention. The trial against him and 33 other defendants began in November and is still ongoing. It is expected to be one of the longest and most complicated trials.

His brother, Todor Jovanov, is also among the defendants. His house arrest was lifted after he provided a guarantee in the form of real estate worth approximately 320,000 euros.

Jovanov’s son is also on the list of defendants, and only precautionary measures have been imposed against him. Dejan Jovanov has repeatedly requested that his pretrial detention be replaced, citing a deterioration in his health, but the court has rejected his requests.

These requests have prompted strong reactions from the victims’ parents. They have expressed concern that the case is being minimized and that people’s lives are being disregarded. Jovanov’s pretrial detention was ordered because of the risk that he might flee, while after his release, in less than a month, he will not have any active guarantee preventing him from leaving.

In recent months, the court has accepted guarantees offered by four defendants who were under house arrest and ordered their release. They include Jane Jançevski, Mitko Stojanov, Martin Gjorgjiev, Stojanço Dimitriev and Bekim Haxhiu.

The court explained that alternative measures remain in force against them and that they regularly attend the court hearings.