Parents of the victims of the “Puls” disco fire in Kočani are demanding justice and questioning the release of individuals who were in custody as accomplices in the murder of their children. The families voiced their concerns during the third protest march, “Delayed Reaction,” held in Kočani.

The march, which began at 12:05 PM from the Park of the Revolution, proceeded towards the Shopping Center, the municipal building, the police station, the Court, and the Prosecutor’s Office in Kočani.

The parents are closely monitoring the work of the competent inspection services, and the acting mayor has pledged his full support. He emphasized that they would not be alone in seeking justice, as everyone should work together to change the dysfunctional system.

During the gathering in front of the Police Station, the families questioned why the police officers involved in the Prosecutor’s Office investigation were released. The sadness and revolt of the parents were also expressed in front of the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office, with each parent mentioning the name of their child and the plans they had for the future.

The parents say the protests will continue until justice is served. One parent, Julija Zlatkova, whose son died in the fire, stated that they will continue to remind the leaders of the country that they are seeking justice for all those who died and were injured.

The protest march concluded in the Park of the Revolution, with attendees vowing to hold the march every Saturday until they obtain justice for their loved ones. Zlatkova said that they buried their children because of someone’s mistakes, corruption, and abuse of position for personal gain. She added that while their children are gone, justice must come to light.

Zlatkova asked, “Does anyone ask us how we spend our days, what it feels like to know that the child will never come home again, to see their beautiful eyes, their beautiful smile, to hear them laugh, to celebrate another Easter with them? We live to go to the cemetery, to chat with our children, to tell them how much they are missed at home.”