During today’s hearing on the tragic fire at the “Pulse” nightclub in Kočani, lawyers for the defendants questioned experts Goran Markovski and Dušica Anđelković, focusing mainly on the building’s urban planning status.
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The defense lawyer for former Kočani mayor Ljupčo Papazov sought clarification on whether the Law on Construction contains a definition of a “building for hospitality services.”
Expert Markovski stated that this category is not specifically defined by the Law on Construction and that the matter falls under the Law on Urban Planning. Professor Anđelković said that the expert group had relied on an extract from the Detailed Urban Plan, in which the property is listed as part of an area designated for light industry and small businesses.
The victims’ families expressed dissatisfaction with the way the trial is proceeding and accused the defense of prolonging the process.
Mita Taseva, the mother of one of the victims, said that repeating questions was not yielding any new information but merely wasting time. Dragi Stojanov, the father of a victim, said the families would continue their efforts:
“They want to drag out the trial and wear us down, but we will not give up. We will fight for justice as long as our hearts continue to beat.”
The hearing is being presided over by Judge Diana Gruevska-Ilievska, while the prosecution is represented by a team of 15 public prosecutors.
Once the construction expert analysis is completed, the prosecution’s evidence phase is expected to conclude. The defense will then begin presenting its evidence.
