Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in central Belgrade on Sunday to rally against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his ruling party, whom they blame for a roof collapse that killed 15 people last month.
The concrete awning of the recently renovated roof of Novi Sad railway station caved in on November 1. Opposition leaders, students and others have taken to the streets repeatedly over the two months, blaming the accident on shoddy construction resulting from government corruption and nepotism.
The ruling coalition, led by Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), has denied those accusations, with the president saying that those responsible must be held to account.
On Sunday evening, protesters switched on the lights of their mobile phones and stood in silence for 15 minutes to commemorate the 15 victims.
Some shouted, "Vučić, thief!". Others held up banners reading, "You have blood on your hands,", reported the Reuters news agency.
The ruling coalition, led by Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), has denied those accusations, with the president saying that those responsible must be held to account.
On Sunday evening, protesters switched on the lights of their mobile phones and stood in silence for 15 minutes to commemorate the 15 victims.
Some shouted, "Vučić, thief!". Others held up banners reading, "You have blood on your hands,", reported the Reuters news agency.
Students at state universities in Belgrade, Kragujevac, and Nis have been protesting for weeks, occupying university departments and blocking traffic in front of their faculties for 15 minutes every day. They are demanding the release of all documents related to the renovation of the station, as well as the criminal prosecution of officials.Large protests tonight in Belgrade against Serbian President Vucic
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 22, 2024
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