Former state public prosecutor Ljupcho Kocevski revealed serious institutional weaknesses and lack of resources in the investigation of the fire at the "Puls" nightclub in Kochani, a tragedy in which 63 people died.

The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Kochani lacked the capacity to handle the case independently. Due to the legal deadline of 90 days for filing charges, the team was expanded from five to 13 prosecutors, with assistance from Skopje and Shtip.

The lack of resources was evident: there were not enough official vehicles and police resources had to be used; there was no administrative personnel and typists had to be brought in from Shtip; work continued intensively through weekends and holidays.

Prosecutors had to establish sensitive communication with victims' families, who initially opposed autopsies. Through three organized meetings with forensic medicine representatives present, prosecutors explained the necessity of expert examinations.

Although the investigation resulted in filed charges, Kocevski expressed skepticism that the state would learn lessons from the tragedy. "We discovered additional criminal offenses among some of the suspects, which further confirms the systemic failure and weak field oversight," he stated.