Serbian railway accident sparks anti-corruption protest

Spread the love


Hundreds of opposition activists gathered in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on Sunday to protest alleged corruption and negligence by local authorities following a fatal accident on Friday at a northern railway station.

The accident occurred in Novi Sad, about 70 kilometers northwest of Belgrade, when part of the station’s entrance roof collapsed, killing 14 people and seriously injuring three others, according to Reuters.

Protesters carried signs reading “Blood on Your Hands” and “Corruption Kills” while calling for the arrest of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić as they marched through the city center.

Opposition politicians, activists, and rights groups accuse Vučić’s administration, particularly those loyal to his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), of deep-rooted corruption, ties to organized crime, nepotism, and excessive bureaucracy. Vučić has denied these allegations.

On Sunday, local prosecutors announced that 26 people, including Transport Minister Goran Vesić, had been questioned in connection with the accident and that critical documents had been seized. An additional 14 people are scheduled for questioning.

“The prosecution and police are working to establish criminal accountability… and we are open to addressing political accountability as well,” said Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević in a televised statement on Sunday.

The Novi Sad railway station was renovated between 2021 and 2022, with smaller maintenance projects continuing until July of this year.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WORLD

Wildfires Ravage Greek Island of Chios as Evacuations Continue

Spread the love

Spread the loveWildfires are raging through the Greek island of Chios for the second consecutive day, driven by fierce winds that are complicating efforts to bring the flames under control. Authorities have had to evacuate more villages as the fire threatens homes and cherished natural sites, as reported by Reuters. Around 190 firefighters are on […]

Read More
WORLD

Eight Killed in Tragic Hot Air Balloon Crash in Brazil

Spread the love

Spread the loveA tragic hot air balloon accident in southern Brazil has resulted in the loss of eight lives and left 13 others injured, as confirmed by officials on Saturday. The incident took place in Santa Catarina when the balloon caught fire mid-air and crashed. Governor Jorginho Mello shared the news on social media platform […]

Read More
WORLD

Chris Brown Pleads Not Guilty to London Nightclub Assault, Legal Proceedings Ongoing

Spread the love

Spread the loveAmerican singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty on Friday before a UK court to charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm during an alleged altercation in a London nightclub in 2023. The development was reported by AFP and AP. Brown showed up at Southwark Crown Court with his friend and fellow musician […]

Read More