Three former mayors of Kočani, along with ex-directors of the State Market Inspectorate, have been accused of enabling the “Puls” cabaret to operate illegally for over a decade, in violation of hospitality industry laws.
According to prosecutors, the municipality received payments from “Puls” despite the venue not meeting legal requirements.
“The three former mayors of Kočani, serving between 2012 and March 16, 2025, as well as a former director of the State Market Inspectorate, failed to fulfill their legal obligations under the Law on Protection and Rescue. As a result, the ‘Puls’ cabaret unlawfully continued its operations, breaching the Law on Hospitality and other relevant regulations. Throughout this period, the municipality accepted payments as compensation for the hospitality venue,” said Ljupčo Kocevski, the state public prosecutor.
Prominent attorney Janaki Mitrovski explained that any mayor in office during that time should be held accountable, as changes in the venue’s use required formal procedures signed off by the mayor.
“The same procedure applies as with construction permits, requiring the mayor’s signature at the end. Regarding hospitality activities, the mayor maintains a municipal register for cabarets, nightclubs, and other hospitality establishments. Notifications are submitted not only to the State Market Inspectorate but also to the municipality, in line with regulations on minimum technical standards. Their responsibility is clear — they cannot claim to be entirely without accountability,” Mitrovski stated.
Meanwhile, lawyer Aleksandar Tortevski argued that those outside the corrupt system ultimately paid the price.
“Any judge or police officer could have shut this nightclub down, as they have the authority to intervene. But the culture of ‘I have someone in the municipality, I have someone in the ministry, do you know who I am?’ — the connections, the photos with prime ministers and ministers, the campaigning in such venues — all of this has now led to us paying the highest possible price,” Tortevski remarked during a televised analysis.
The three former mayors were arrested following a fire at “Puls” that sparked public outcry. The prosecution has indicated that evidence points to serious offenses against public safety under Articles 292 and 288 of the Criminal Code.
