Petrushevski after acquittal of former Tetovo hospital directors: justice for the 14 modular hospital victims

VMRO-DPMNE deputy secretary-general and lawmaker Brane Petrushevski on Sunday accused the opposition SDSM of evading responsibility for the fire at Tetovo’s modular hospital through its influence in the judiciary, after Judge Afrim Fidani acquitted former Tetovo Hospital directors Artan Etemi and Florin Besimi, Portalb.mk reported.

Accusations against Filipče and Ahmeti

Petrushevski noted that prosecutor Islam Abazi had earlier not opened a case against former Health Minister Venko Filipče. “After Islam Abazi, just a few months ago, amnestied Filipče from any responsibility in the modular hospitals case by not opening a case against him, today Afrim Fidani released Artan Etemi and Florin Besimi,” he said.

The lawmaker asked how it was possible that no one had been charged or convicted over the fire and why Filipče had not even been called to give an informative statement. He rejected limiting responsibility to the cable and claimed that Filipče and DUI leader Ali Ahmeti were being shielded by their people in the judiciary. “For a case in which 14 of our fellow citizens were burned alive, there must be a different judicial outcome,” Petrushevski said.

Five years without accountability

On Sept. 8, 2021, a fire broke out at Tetovo’s modular hospital, where COVID-19 patients were being treated, killing 14 people, among them patients and family members who were inside. The cause of the fire is attributed to a burned cable, from which sparks spread the flames, and within minutes the whole facility was ablaze.

Relatives of the victims and other citizens have held several protests demanding a judicial clarification of the causes. More than five years later, no one has been held accountable for the tragedy.