The explosion of fire in the Covid hospital in Tetova where 14 victims lost their lives, the decision is made for the accused (names)

The Basic Court in Tetovo gave the decision on Monday, regarding the case of the burning of the modular coronavirus hospital in September 2021 in this city.

The two accused former directors of the hospital, Florin Besimi and Artan Etemi, received "suspended sentences" (suspended sentences of one and a half years, which would lead them to prison if they commit an offense within a period of three years criminal), while the doctor Boban Vu?evski was acquitted of the charges.

The prosecution accused Mr. Besimi and Mr. Etemi of "serious crimes against public safety", while doctor Vu?evski of "disobeying health rules during the epidemic".

In this tragedy, 14 people lost their lives, patients who were being treated for the coronavirus and their family members, who took care of them.

The presence of family members in the hospital grounds near the sick caused the accusations to be increased against the managers of the health institution, although the cause of the fire, according to the investigations, was caused by an electric short circuit in an extension socket.

The hospital also lacked fire fighting equipment.

The court assessed that the accused "Besimi and Etemi are guilty because they caused danger to the lives of patients and their family members inside the hospital at the time when the fire broke out". They must pay one million denars (about $17,500) to the families of the victims, as the latter will be able to seek compensation through a civil procedure.

In the court's decision, it is stated that the defendants had not installed adequate means of fire protection, endangering the lives of people and patients affected by COVID-19.

The decision was greeted with applause outside the court by supporters of doctor Vu?evski, who was acquitted of the charges.

The former director Florin Besimi pleaded not guilty, as he said that he did not understand the act-decision of the court.

“Provat dhe faktet e dorëzuara në gjykatë e dëshmojnë pafajësinë time”, u shpreh Besimi duke theksuar se ai vetë nuk kishte lidhje me spitalin modular, as në realizimin dhe mbikëqyrjen e tij.

Ndërkohë, ai paralajmëroi se do ta ankimojë vendimin në një instancë më të lartë gjyqësore.

Në këtë rast tragjik të ndodhur më 8 shtator, të vitit 2021 të paktën 12 persona të tjerë u lënduan. Pas kritikave të shumta dhe pakënaqësive në opinionin publik, autoritetet angazhuan pas pak muajsh ekspertë gjermanë që të zhvillojnë hetime dhe ekspertiza e tyre u bë në laboratorë jashtë Maqedonisë së Veriut. Procesi gjyqësor filloi në dhjetor të vitit 2022. VOA