All defendants in the Kočani fire case have pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment

All 35 individual defendants and representatives of the three companies charged in the Puls nightclub fire have pleaded not guilty to the criminal offenses brought against them.

The first defendant, Dejan Jovanov, owner of Puls, told Judge Dijana Gruevska-Ilievska that he understands the charges but does not feel guilty for the alleged crimes.

“I know and understand what I am charged with. I do not feel guilty for these crimes attributed to me,” said the first defendant.

His son, Mihail Jovanov, also stated that he does not feel guilty for the charges against him.

Dejan’s brother, Todor Jovanov, pleaded not guilty and emphasized that he is a parent of an injured child.

Defendant Milka Edrovska said she also does not feel guilty, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and stating that she understands their pain, according to Skopje media.

Defendant Ognjan Georgiev stated that he does not feel guilty and said he does not know why he is charged or why he is in court.

“I am a retiree, and if I have committed any crime, it is long outdated. I am not guilty and should be free. Probably, I was included just to increase the number of defendants here. After my lawyer’s presentation, I want the court to consider this and decide that I should be acquitted,” he said.

Ljupčo Stamenkov also stated that he does not feel guilty and does not know why proceedings are being conducted against him.

Defendants Nikolčo Gocev, former mayor of Kočani, and Ratko Dimitrov denied guilt.

Nikolčo Iliev, another former mayor of Kočani, Ljupčo Papazov, also a former mayor, Jane Jančevski, Lazar Zaharijev, Ivica Grozdanov, Martin Georgijev, who was part of the security team, and Stojančo Dimitriev all denied the charges against them.

• Tomorrow’s hearing for the defendants in the Kočani fire case has been postponed

Former Director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue and current minister Bekim Maksuti stated that he does not consider himself guilty, claiming that the indictment is politically motivated and that the evidence is legally unfounded.

Defendants Dževat Selmani and Ljupčo Grnčištanov also pleaded not guilty, as did former Ministers of Economy Valjon Saraćini and Krešnik Bekteši.

Dževair Kamberi, Shofket Hazari, and Zoran Nikolovski likewise pleaded not guilty, as did Bekim Hadžiu, Arlinda Kasapi, Mile Ampov, Blaška Eftimova, Vesna Kuzmanovska Razmena Čekić-Durović, and Aleksandar Načev, owner of the Rubikon security agency.

Legal entities MMMM Cafe LLC, Rubicon Securities, and Venci Project also stated that they do not acknowledge the indictment.

All of the defendants expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims during the proceedings.

The trial for the Puls fire, which occurred on March 16 of this year, began last month, and this was the second hearing.