FURIOUS protesters have brought Serbia to a standstill after a train station roof collapse killed 15 people in Novi Sad last November.
Thousands have joined daily traffic blockades, while shops, cafes, and even theaters shut down during a one-day strike to demand justice. Protesters say shoddy rebuilding—blamed on corruption—is to blame for the tragedy.
President Aleksandar Vu?i?, accused of crushing democratic freedoms, has fired back, claiming the protests are backed by foreign spies. Pro-government thugs have also attacked demonstrators, though no incidents were reported during Friday’s peaceful rallies in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš.
Students have shut down universities for two months, while prosecutors have charged 13 people over the collapse. But the release of ex-construction minister Goran Vesi? has sparked outrage, with many doubting the investigation.
The train station, rebuilt twice under deals with Chinese firms, is now a grim reminder of what critics call a “rotten system.”
Actor Goran Susljik told local TV: “This has to stop. Students have given us a shot at real change.”
