Thousands Protest Ahead of Trial Over Deadliest Fire in North Macedonia's History
Protesters demand justice for victims of Pulse nightclub fire, call for accountability and transparency.
On Saturday, thousands of people gathered in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, to protest against the upcoming trial related to the deadliest fire in the country’s history.
The March 16 fire at the Pulse club in Kocani killed 63 people and injured over 200, most of them young revelers.
Protesters, including relatives of the victims, marched to the Criminal Court in Skopje, dressed in black and carrying banners with photos of their loved ones.
The fire was sparked by a pyrotechnic flame that engulfed the roof of the crowded club.
Authorities have stated that the venue had multiple safety violations and was operating under the wrong license.
Families of the victims are calling for justice, accountability, and transparency in the investigation.
Natalija Gjorgjieska, whose husband died in the fire, demanded to know where mistakes were made and which institutions failed to prevent the tragedy.
The prosecution has indicted 34 individuals, including the club owner, security guards, former mayors of Kocani, and representatives from three legal entities.
These defendants face serious charges related to public safety.
Other accused parties include inspectors, civil servants, and former economy ministers, who could receive up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
North Macedonia has long been plagued by corruption, ranking 88th globally on Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index.
The European Union has expressed concerns over the pervasive nature of corruption, highlighting it as a major obstacle to North Macedonia’s potential accession to the EU.
The March 16 fire at the Pulse club in Kocani killed 63 people and injured over 200, most of them young revelers.
Protesters, including relatives of the victims, marched to the Criminal Court in Skopje, dressed in black and carrying banners with photos of their loved ones.
The fire was sparked by a pyrotechnic flame that engulfed the roof of the crowded club.
Authorities have stated that the venue had multiple safety violations and was operating under the wrong license.
Families of the victims are calling for justice, accountability, and transparency in the investigation.
Natalija Gjorgjieska, whose husband died in the fire, demanded to know where mistakes were made and which institutions failed to prevent the tragedy.
The prosecution has indicted 34 individuals, including the club owner, security guards, former mayors of Kocani, and representatives from three legal entities.
These defendants face serious charges related to public safety.
Other accused parties include inspectors, civil servants, and former economy ministers, who could receive up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
North Macedonia has long been plagued by corruption, ranking 88th globally on Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index.
The European Union has expressed concerns over the pervasive nature of corruption, highlighting it as a major obstacle to North Macedonia’s potential accession to the EU.
