LjupcoGrnchishtarov, who for years was the chief inspector at theProtection and Rescue Directorate, and was one of the defendants in the traffic fire in Kochani’s Pulse nightclub that claimed 63 lives, has died in house arrest.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) announced that it has been notified of the death of LjupchoGrnchishtanov, a former general inspector at the Protection and Rescue Directorate and one of the defendants in the case of the tragedy in Kochani.
According to information from the Prosecutor’s Office, Grnchishtanov died after falling ill at his home. The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office will issue an order for an autopsy to determine the exact causes of death.
Grnchishtanov served as Inspector General and Head of the Inspection Service at the Protection and Rescue Directorate from January 15, 2013 to March 16, 2025.
He was among the 38 defendants in the trial for the fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kochani and was charged with serious crimes against public safety.
In October last year, VladoPetrov, a retired police officer and suspect in the Pulse case, died in custody. He was included in the investigation due to suspicions related to the issuance of a permit for a parking space in front of the facility.
The trial for the tragedy is in the evidence-taking phase, and the next hearing is scheduled for June 25, when the prosecution will continue presenting material evidence.
In the fire that broke out on March 16, 2025 during a performance by the music group DNK at the Pulse nightclub, claiming 63 lives and injuring over 200.
The trial is being led by Judge DijanaGruevska-Ilievska, while the prosecution is represented by a team of 15 public prosecutors.
