The collapse of a concrete canopy that killed 15 people in Serbia last month has led to the indictment of 13 individuals, including a former minister, on charges of committing a grave criminal act against public safety and irregular execution of construction work. The canopy was part of a railway station building in the northern city of Novi Sad, which had undergone renovation multiple times as part of a broader infrastructure deal with Chinese companies. Many believe that the shoddy work on the station was a result of corruption, leading to the tragic collapse. Prime Minister Milos Vucevic stated that the indictment demonstrates transparency in the investigation.
However, critics argue that the indictment is incomplete as it fails to address the issue of alleged corruption related to the construction. Opposition politician Borislav Novakovic described the charges as a legal maneuver to distract from the corruption that played a role in the disaster. Amidst the public outcry, protests against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government have been ongoing, with university students taking a leading role. Demonstrations, both peaceful and confrontational, have taken place in Novi Sad and Belgrade, with protesters demanding accountability for the tragedy.
In response to the indictment, student groups have announced plans for further protests on New Year’s Eve in Novi Sad and Belgrade. Initially, 14 people were reported dead from the collapse, with one additional death occurring later in the hospital. The indictment must be confirmed by a court to proceed, and the prosecutor has requested that the suspects be detained pending the legal proceedings. Among the individuals indicted are former Construction Minister Goran Vesic and others responsible for the renovation work on the railway station.
The detention and subsequent release of Vesic have raised concerns about the impartiality of the investigation and the independence of the Serbian judiciary, particularly under the leadership of the populist government, which has been criticized for tightening its control over state institutions. The ongoing protests and strike by university students in Serbia have posed a challenge to Vucic’s authority, as he faces accusations of stifling democratic freedoms despite his stated goal of EU membership for Serbia. The exact timeline for a trial in this case remains unclear, as the legal process continues to unfold amid the political turmoil in the country.
