Police trial restarts over fatal Pulse nightclub fire in Kočani

The trial of 13 police officers accused of serious crimes against public security has restarted in North Macedonia. The retrial follows changes to the composition of the Judicial Council.

During the proceedings, the court noted that one juror will be unable to attend for at least a month due to health reasons, while another has withdrawn due to other commitments. The trial is presided over by Judge Fanka Jančuleva Mihailovska, with prosecutor Spasenka Andonova representing the state.

The 13 defendants, including Dejan Saltirovski and Vančo Georgievski, maintained their previous pleas of not guilty. The court confirmed that all previously presented material evidence and witness testimonies will be incorporated into the new proceedings, which will now continue with the examination of witnesses proposed by the prosecution.

The case stems from a tragic fire on March 16 at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, which resulted in 63 deaths and over 200 injuries. The prosecution alleges that the officers on duty during the critical period were simultaneously engaged in the nightclub and failed to interrupt the festivities or prevent the use of pyrotechnics.