The trial for the tragic fire in the “Pulse” discotheque in Cobsin which 63 people died and over 200 were injured, enters a new phase with the production of material evidence.
From Prosecutor’s office inform that in the courtroom in Idrizovo from tomorrow the presentation of the forensic-medical autopsy findings on the causes of death of the victims will begin.
After the presentation of these evidences, it is expected that a skilled person will be called who will give additional clarifications and answer the questions that arose from the findings, as well as the dilemmas that appeared in the public, reported MIA.
The process continues with a focus on establishing all the circumstances related to the tragedy.
– We start initially with the autopsy protocols, where you will hear the consequences, but also the reasons that contributed, why we are not only talking about the fire and the spark of the fire, but also many other related actions of other persons that we prove. It is not only the fire, but also the gases… the overall environment and the cause of death was pointed out at today’s briefing with the team of prosecutors representing the prosecution.
This work, as it was emphasized, is not the fire itself, but the consequence, which is brought about by the overall interaction of all the key factors such as the environment, the overcrowding of the disco, the built-in materials, the emission of gases and the very impossibility of evacuation.
– We think that if we extract only one factor, we cannot get the complete picture and say, this is precisely why the consequence occurred, and that is why this accusation deals with everyone, and the key connection is through the cause of death – the Prosecutor’s Office clarifies.
Regarding the issue of cyanide and what was in the blood of the victims, the Prosecutor’s Office points out that everything has been analyzed and will be presented in the courtroom by experts.
– It is covered by the initial order, it has all been examined and will be performed in a courtroom by an expert – emphasized the Prosecutor’s Office, pointing out that this issue was a priority above priorities and from the point of view of determining what the survivors inhaled so that our health authorities could send timely information to all the centers where they were sent for treatment.
The Prosecutor’s Office cannot say how many hearings will be needed to present the material evidence, and that, as he pointed out, also depends on the defense and whether and how many obstructions there will be, but it is the job of the court to take care of the economy and efficiency of the procedure.
The video materials that have been proposed as evidence, it was pointed out at today’s briefing that they will not be shown in full in the courtroom, because parts of them are not important for the prosecution.
– We want them to be presented sequentially, not to look at goals, but only what is important for this accusation – clarified the prosecutor’s office.
The exclusion of the public, as indicated by the prosecution, will be required depending on the way the evidence is presented and how much depth will be allowed in the presentation.
The prosecutor’s office informed that there are still three or four witnesses who remain to be heard at tomorrow’s hearing, those who for psychological reasons cannot be heard and one who is abroad, for whom there is the possibility, if they are not available, to request that their statements be read and to start presenting material evidence.
The court process began on November 19 last year, after which the parents, survivors, guests at the club, inspectors, representatives of institutions and the municipality of Kočani, as well as the members of the band, who performed that evening, were heard in the courtroom of KPU “Idrizovo” in Skopje.
The trial is led by judge Diana Gruveska Ilievska, and the prosecution is represented by a team of 15 public prosecutors.
The fire at the Pulse discotheque in Kočani broke out on March 16, 2025, during a performance by the DNA group, and is one of the heaviest tragedies in the country’s recent history. 63 people died in it, and over 200 were injured.
