Serbian prosecutors announced Thursday the arrest of 12 people in connection with a deadly railway station roof collapse that killed 15 people in Novi Sad, as public anger over alleged corruption and safety failures continues to mount.
The Higher Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Sad said the suspects face criminal charges related to public safety violations that could carry prison terms of up to 12 years. One additional suspect remains at large. The November 1 collapse killed 14 people immediately, with a fifteenth victim succumbing to injuries on Sunday.
The disaster has triggered a series of high-profile resignations, including ministers of transport, construction, infrastructure and trade, along with the head of state-run Serbian Railways. Former Construction Minister Goran Vesic, reportedly among those detained, claimed on social media platform X that he had voluntarily presented himself to authorities.
Former Novi Sad Mayor Borislav Novakovic criticized the timing of the arrests, telling The Associated Press, “For the past 20 days, all suspects could influence witnesses, tamper with evidence and alter documentation.”
The incident has sparked widespread protests, with demonstrators and opposition leaders alleging that government corruption and nepotism contributed to substandard construction practices. Opposition politicians have called for organized crime prosecutors to take over the investigation.
President Aleksandar Vucic has responded forcefully to the demonstrations, labeling protesters as “thugs and bullies” and characterizing the actions as “terror” and “brutal violence by certain political factors.”
Protesters continue to demand indictments related to the collapse and the release of activists detained during earlier demonstrations.
