Opposition protests in Belgrade: Gathered demand accountability for tragedy in Novi Sad

(Patria) - A protest organized by parliamentary opposition parties due to the accident that occurred in Novi Sad has begun in front of the Serbian Government building in Belgrade.

According to Danas reporters, citizens gathered in front of the Government building and blocked the intersection of Nemanjina and Kneza Miloša streets.

The gathered are holding various banners, including flags of "Ne damo Jadar". Citizens around the flag with the inscription "Euromaidan" and EU symbols started chanting "Lower the flag".

Beograd 11.11.2024 godine zapamtiću ovaj datum pic.twitter.com/TW4wfcEv7u

— Alex-Saša (@AckonyAlex) November 11, 2024

"That morning, that November 1st, it could have been any one of us. That is precisely why we are here, in front of the Government building which is hiding those responsible - Smiljan Banjac told the attendees.

He repeated the names of all the victims, adding that they must never be forgotten.

- 11 days have passed and no one has been arrested or prosecuted, only dozens have allegedly been questioned. We must doubt that too, because we know who we are dealing with. We don't know who is leading the investigation in Novi Sad, silence from the prosecutor's office.

They are quick and efficient when they need to arrest those who fight for justice. We ask why activists and students Ivan Bjelić, Goran Ješić are not free. Who arrested Milu Pajić and Doroteja Antić, Miša Bačulov and so on - Banjac said.

Lawyer Jovan Rajić said that on November 1st, some parents sent their children on a trip, not dreaming that it was the last time.

- They were murdered, and they were murdered by corruption, crime, undisclosed contracts, someone's negligence and greed - Rajić stated, and added that the people are hungry for justice.



He also asked which institutions citizens should trust. Listing institutions such as the police, judiciary, and prosecution, and all their failures, Rajić said he does not trust them.

- Beside them, we have forgotten what a state is and what it is for. It should protect citizens, not the mafia and thieves who have enriched themselves - Rajić stated.

He points out that it is not the job of a civil servant to get a job through a party membership card and to be involved in various tenders and competitions.

- That is what is called corruption. That led to what happened in Novi Sad - Rajić added.

The gathered will demand the resignation of Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and Novi Sad Mayor Milan Đurić, as well as the publication of all secret contracts related to the reconstruction of the Railway Station in Novi Sad.

📌Trenutno ispred zgrade Vlade.
Beograd... pic.twitter.com/f2jhruOqFG

— Saša Damnjanović (@damjanosat) November 11, 2024

The demands for accountability for the deaths of 14 people during the demolition of the canopy at the Novi Sad Railway Station will be reiterated at the protest. An urgent arrest of all those responsible for the murder of 14 people and the release of all innocent and illegally detained individuals will also be demanded.

The opposition will also demand an extraordinary audit of all infrastructure projects that have been started or carried out in the last 10 years.

According to some information, a short march by the gathered from the Serbian Government to the Presidency building on Andrićev venac is possible.

The scheduling of protests in Belgrade has also met with criticism from some Novi Sad parties, who believe that protests should be held in Novi Sad, where the accident occurred.

Due to the collapse of the canopy, fourteen people died, and three were seriously injured. The authorities claim that the canopy was not part of the reconstruction, while the opposition and the public are publishing photos and videos showing that work was being done on the canopy, but they are also speculating about the different circumstances under which the accident could have occurred.