Serbia: 13 people charged in roof collapse at Novi Sad railway station

The prosecutor’s office in the city of Novi Sad in northern Serbia today filed charges against 13 people in connection with the collapse of a section of the roof of the city’s railway station building last month that resulted in the deaths of 15 people and led to mass protests.

The cornice on the newly renovated roof of the station building collapsed on November 1, resulting in 14 people being killed and three injured. One of the injured later succumbed to his injuries.

Students, opposition supporters, and scores of others took to the streets en masse after the accident, for which they blame government corruption and nepotism resulting in shoddy construction. The government denies the allegations.

In a statement, the prosecutor’s office in Novi Sad said it had filed charges against officials and individuals including the former infrastructure minister, his deputy and the planners and supervisors of the reconstruction work.

“The charges were brought because of reasonable suspicion that they committed a serious offence against public safety caused a public danger… and for irregular and improper construction work,” he said. As required by Serbian law, the indictment lists the defendants only by their initials.

Transport, Construction and Infrastructure Minister Goran Vesić, Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic and the head of state-run Serbian Railways resigned after the incident. On 4 November, Vēsic said he would resign, but that he could not accept responsibility for the Novi Sad accident.

On 21 November, police arrested 11 people in connection with the crash, including Vesic, whose detention was lifted by a court on 27 November. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said those responsible must be held accountable. The anger of the population following this tragedy has led to almost daily demonstrations across the country.

The latest major demonstration, held a week ago, involved tens of thousands of people in the capital Belgrade. Protesters are calling for the authorities to take responsibility and demanding the dismissal of the prime minister and the prosecution of those responsible.

Students have also joined the protest movement, shutting down most of Serbia’s universities for a month. They are calling for a transparent investigation, the dismissal of all political officials involved and the release of students arrested during the protests.

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