Serbia arrests 11 as anger surges over roof collapse at train station

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Deadly incident occurred aft Novi Sad position was renovated, pinch protesters blaming sloppy activity led by corrupt officials.

Published On 21 Nov 2024

Serbian authorities person arrested 11 group successful relationship pinch a tile illness astatine a train position that killed 15 group and led to protests alleging that authorities corruption was to blame.

Public prosecutors successful nan bluish metropolis of Novi Sad said connected Thursday that constabulary had arrested 11 group connected its orders, arsenic portion of an investigation into nan collapse of nan tile astatine nan recently renovated section train position earlier this month.

The Higher Prosecutor’s Office said successful a connection that nan suspects, identified only by their initials, look charges of committing criminal acts against nationalist security, causing nationalist threat and carrying retired irregular building activity arsenic portion of nan renewal project, conducted by a Serbian-Chinese partnership, prosecutors said.

Officials person offered conflicting accusation astir whether nan tile was included successful nan renewal project, questions complete nan guidelines causes of nan illness acting arsenic a lightning rod for broader dissatisfaction pinch nan government, which has launched a number of ample infrastructure projects pinch Chinese authorities companies.

Regular protests person taken spot since nan accident, pinch critics alleging nan tile clang was nan consequence of sloppy renewal activity caused by rampant corruption and a deficiency of transparency, demanding that those responsible beryllium brought to justness and punished.

Protesters alleging corruption aft nan tile of a railway position successful Novi Sad collapsed

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic described nan protests connected Thursday arsenic “terror” and “brutal unit by definite governmental factors”, saying besides that “we will conclusion nan thugs and bullies … we are not afraid”.

Serbian media reported that Goran Vesic, who resigned arsenic building curate aft nan collapse, was among those detained. The erstwhile curate based on connected Facebook that he was not arrested, but had “voluntarily responded” to a petition from police.

Protesters are besides seeking nan resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and nan politician of Novi Sad, on pinch nan prosecution of officials responsible for nan tragedy.

Apart from Vesic, Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic, who was building curate from 2020 to 2022 – erstwhile nan position renewal activity began – has besides resigned.

Serbia Railways Infrastructure’s acting wide head Jelena Tanaskovic has besides stepped down.

The guidance and members of nan nationalist person demanded nan publication of contracts signed pinch nan companies progressive successful renovating nan station.

A consortium of 4 companies – China Railway International and China Communications Construction, France’s Egis and Hungary’s Utiber – were successful complaint of nan works.

The renovations were completed conscionable a fewer weeks earlier nan tile collapsed.

Fourteen people, aged betwixt six and 74, were killed astatine nan segment connected November 1, while 1 personification died successful infirmary connected Sunday.