BUENOS AIRES , Argentina ( CNN ) -- Argentina 's Court of Justice on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a club owner to 20 years in prison for a deadly club fire that killed 194 people but absolved the band that had played that night of responsibility for the tragedy . An injured clubgoer and his father wait for news of his brother after the club fire in December 2004 . The incident happened in December 2004 , when a fire broke out in the overcrowded Republica Cromanon venue in Buenos Aires . Many of the exits to the building were illegally closed . Omar Chaban , the owner of Cromanon , was convicted of causing the deaths of the concertgoers and of bribing officials , the court said . Prosecutors had asked for 23 years for Chaban , who became the object of such scorn that he had to move repeatedly over the past four years to avoid harassment , according to the newspaper Clarin . Some city officials also were convicted in the case . Deputy commissioner Carlos Diaz was sentenced to 18 years , and two other city functionaries were sentenced to two years for failing to carry out their municipal duties . The band 's former manager , Diego Arganaraz , also was sentenced to 18 years , the court said . But the members of the Callejeros band , whose fans were gathered outside of the court house , were acquitted although band members had been indicted . Family members of the victims reacted strongly when the judge announced that the band was not found responsible . Victims ' family and friends inside the courtroom began crying and shouting at the news , and at least one man was removed by police . Outside of the courtroom , there were some injuries as fans of the band and families of the victims clashed . `` The justice we were hoping for does not exist , '' Betty Morales , a family member of one of the victims , told CNN en Español . `` Callejeros are just as responsible ... While they are partying , our children are buried , dead . '' All of those convicted Wednesday remained free pending appeals . The Republica Cromanon nightclub was made to hold about 1,000 people , but it was estimated that more than 3,000 fans were packed inside the night of the fire , which began when fans began lighting flares that caught the roof on fire . The members of the band began playing together in 1995 and took the Callejeros name in 1997 , according to a fan site . The band was considered an up-and-coming rock group , but did n't perform for almost two years after the deadly fire . And when they did play , it was a controversial event . Fans of the band rejoiced at Wednesday 's outcome . `` Personally , I think it 's good because the band did n't have anything to do with it , '' fan Mauro Fernandez told CNN . CNN en Español 's Javier Doberti contributed to this report .
NEW : `` Justice we were hoping for does not exist , '' victim 's kin says of band acquittal . Members of the Callejeros band had been indicted in the case . Venue in Buenos Aires , Argentina , was overcrowded ; many exits closed illegally . The judge said he would allow a jury to decide whether or not they should be found guilty on all charges.