“Pulse” case, Dejan Jovanov-Deko leaves court after complaining of deteriorating health

Several parents of people who lost their lives in the fire at the “Pulse” nightclub left the courtroom in Idrizovo after tensions arose during the hearing at which technical adviser Petre Ruseski testified.

The situation escalated during questions from lawyer Ivana Kocevska, who represents the first defendant, Dejan Jovanov-Deko, as well as after Ruseski’s answers regarding the original intended use of the building where the nightclub operated.

It was stated at the hearing that the building had been intended for use as a business-production facility. This information prompted reactions from some of the victims’ parents. There was also discontent after the lawyer referred to the parents present as the “public”, while they objected, stressing that they are the injured parties in these proceedings.

At the judge’s request, some of them temporarily left the courtroom to calm down. After a brief recess and with the court’s authorization, the parents returned to the hearing.

Dejan Jovanov-Deko also left the courtroom after saying that he felt dizzy and unwell. He was escorted by a prison police officer, while the court ordered another recess.

The hearing is continuing with the questioning of technical adviser Petre Ruseski, who was engaged by the defense. His testimony concerns the building where the “Pulse” nightclub operated, while his engagement is intended to challenge parts of the expert report prepared by the Faculty of Civil Engineering.

The detention measure for the first defendant, Dejan Jovanov-Deko, expires on October 3. His defense had previously announced that it would offer property worth approximately 200,000 euros as bail.