Indictment filed over canopy collapse in Novi Sad: Former minister Goran Vesić among the accused

(Patria) - Regarding the tragic event of November 1, 2024, when the canopy of the Novi Sad Railway Station building collapsed, killing 15 people and seriously injuring two, the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad informs the public that on December 30, 2024, it filed an indictment against thirteen defendants.

As stated, the indictment was filed against Jelena Tanasković, former acting General Director of "Serbian Railways Infrastructure" JSC, Goran Vesić, former minister in the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Anita Dimovski, former acting Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, and Nebojša Šurlan, former General Director of "Serbian Railways Infrastructure" JSC, due to justified suspicion that they committed the criminal offense of Serious Offense against Public Safety under Article 288, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code in connection with the criminal offense of Causing Public Danger under Article 278, Paragraph 3 in connection with Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code.

The indictment was also filed against S.N., responsible designer of the construction, M.J., chief designer of the conceptual design, Lj.M.M., chief designer of the project for the building permit, M.S., reviewer for structures of the Republic Revision Commission, J.S.M., person responsible for technical control, Z.S.M. and D.J., persons responsible for carrying out construction works, M.G. and D.T., persons responsible for expert supervision, due to justified suspicion that they committed the criminal offense of Serious Offense against Public Safety under Article 288, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code in connection with the criminal offense of Improper and Incorrect Execution of Construction Works under Article 281, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.

The indictment was filed after the investigative phase of the criminal proceedings was concluded by the issuance of an Order to Conclude Investigation, the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad stated.

The indictment was submitted to the Higher Court in Novi Sad, along with all documentation collected during the pre-investigative and investigative proceedings, as well as all other evidence supporting the existence of justified suspicion for filing the indictment.

The indictment proposed that detention be extended for all defendants who are in custody, namely: Nebojša Šurlan, former General Director of "Serbian Railways Infrastructure" JSC, S.N., responsible designer of the construction, M.J., chief designer of the conceptual design, Lj.M.M., chief designer of the project for the building permit, M.S., reviewer for structures of the Republic Revision Commission, J.S.M., person responsible for technical control, Z.S.M. and D.J., persons responsible for carrying out construction works, and M.G. and D.T., persons responsible for expert supervision.

Detention was proposed for all defendants who are not in custody, namely: Jelena Tanasković, former acting General Director of "Serbian Railways Infrastructure" JSC, Goran Vesić, former minister in the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, and Anita Dimovski, former acting Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure.

In order to protect the interests of all victims, the indictment proposed that the court award property claims to the authorized persons.

In addition, it was proposed that all defendants be issued the security measure of Prohibition of Performing Profession, Activity, and Duty under Article 85 of the Criminal Code, and that all defendants be obliged to fully cover the costs of the criminal proceedings.

Given the tragic consequences of the event of November 1, 2024, the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad expects that the panel of the Higher Court in Novi Sad, for further prompt and efficient proceedings in this criminal case, in accordance with the law, will confirm the indictment in a short period, thereby creating conditions for scheduling the main trial and determining the criminal responsibility of all defendants.