Serbian students demonstrate against the train station tragedy by marching in Belgrade

Protesting against the policies of President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which they blame for a train accident last month that claimed 15 lives, hundreds of university students gathered in Belgrade on Wednesday.

14 people were killed and three injured when the concrete awning of the newly restored roof of the train station in Novi Sad, in the northern city, collapsed on November 1. One of the wounded later passed away.

Since then, students at Belgrade and other Serbian institutions have been demonstrating, calling for the release of records pertaining to the station’s reconstruction and the punishment of those accountable for the catastrophe.

Following a 15-minute silent vigil in memory of the Novi Sad accident victims, students marched to the State Prosecutor’s headquarters in Belgrade to submit 1,000 identical complaint letters to the chief state prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac’s office.

“Students demand that you fight for the law and justice, without any political or corrupt malpractices,” the note said.

While they deny it, students, opposition, and civic organizations criticize Dolovac and prosecutors for the slow investigation into the train station tragedy.

Students held posters that showed a bleeding hand, which they claim represents the government’s role in the fall of the awning.

“These (protests) are the way (to win), the one and only way,” said 22-year-old law student Zaklina.

Additionally, opposition parties and civic organizations have taken to the streets to blame the Novi Sad catastrophe on poor construction that was the product of nepotism and corruption.

This is denied by the ruling coalition, and Vucic has stated that accountability must be taken for the station fall.

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