The former mayor of Kočani, Ljupčo Papazov, will be placed under house arrest, joining two of his predecessors, Ratko Dimitrievski and Nikolčo Iliev, who are already under similar restrictions. This decision follows the deadly fire at the “Puls” disco.

The Kočani court announced that the detention measures for seven suspects in the ongoing investigation have been replaced with house arrest. This change comes after an appeal from the suspects, made through their legal representatives.

Initially, the detention measure was replaced with house arrest for three suspects following their appeal. Subsequently, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Kočani proposed that the detention measure be replaced with house arrest for four more suspects, a proposal that the court approved.

Kreshnik Bekteshi, the former Minister of Economy, will remain in custody. However, two former Ministers of Economy, Valjon Saracini and Bekim Neziri, are already under house arrest. Precautionary measures have been imposed on Driton Kuci.

The devastating fire at the “Puls” disco resulted in the deaths of 62 people, the majority of whom were young.

Authorities also reported that an additional person injured in the fire, who was receiving treatment in Belgrade, has died. The police officer suspected in connection with the fire, who was previously wanted, has turned himself in to the Prosecutor’s Office.