Thousands of protesters gathered outside the seat of the Serbian government in Belgrade to demand his resignation after 14 people died in a construction disaster at the Novi Sad railway station. After the speech in front of the government building, the demonstrators went to the president's office, where they planned to submit a request for the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic.
– This was not an accident. These 14 people were killed, lawyer Jovan Rajic, one of the organizers, told the audience. – Corruption, crime, lack of transparency, negligence and greed killed them. Therefore, we demand responsibility and justice. This nation is thirsty for justice, he added.
The former mayor of Novi Sad, Borislav Novakovic, expressed his anger that “after 11 days no one has been brought to criminal responsibility.” – The state does not arrest criminals, only arrests those who demand justice – he added.
READ ALSO: The roof of the station entrance collapsed. 14 people were killed and many were injured
After last week's protests in the city, the police arrested several activists and politicians responsible for organizing the event.
Demonstrators demand the resignation of the government
In their speeches, the organizers of Sunday's conference accused the authorities, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, of taking over the state and escaping responsibility for the tragedy in Novi Sad. The activists' statement was interrupted by thunderous applause, the sound of vuvuzelas and slogans against the government.
The organizers demanded the resignation of the government and the mayor of Novi Sad, Milan Đurić, the publication of all contracts for the reconstruction of the station and the inspection of all infrastructure projects that have been started or completed in the last 10 years.
Demonstration in Belgrade ANDREJ ČUKIK/PAP/EPA
“If our demands are not met by the end of the week, we will continue the struggle in the streets,” they said from the platform. In response to the tragedy, Goran Vesic, Serbia's Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, resigned.
READ ALSO: They left a red mark. They say: crime, not tragedy
“What happened in Novi Sad is just the latest episode in the process of destroying the country,” said 30-year-old Milosh. – This example is known to everyone here. Secret deals are made, people close to the authorities get rich, nobody cares about the nation, said the man.
The presidential residence is surrounded by a police cordon
– Vucic repeats at every step that we are a freedom-loving nation. I agree, but for him it means freedom to do whatever he likes and consider Serbia as his property, said 60-year-old Aleksandra. “It's time for him to go,” she added.
After the speech in front of the government building, the demonstrators went to the president's office, where they planned to submit a request for the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic. However, the building was closed and surrounded by a police cordon. The president is in Azerbaijan on Monday, where the COP29 climate summit will be held.
Protesters carried slogans that read: “Corruption kills”, “We demand your resignation” and “You are guilty, you will answer”. During the entire event, the slogan of the demonstrations, which lasted for more than a week, sounded loudly: “Your hands have blood.” The initiators of this event appointed dozens of people responsible for the peaceful course of demonstrations, most of them standing around the government headquarters and the office of the president. The protest ended without incident.
Main photo credit: ANDREJ CUKIC/PAP/EPA
