11 More Detained in Novi Sad Station Collapse Case Amid Ongoing Anti-Government Protests in Serbia

Serbian authorities have detained 11 additional suspects in connection with the deadly collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad, Orda.kz reports, citing DW.

Among those arrested are a former Minister of construction, transport, and infrastructure, as well as the ex-head of the state company overseeing railway infrastructure. All face corruption charges.

Investigators allege that the contractor, China Railway International and China Communications Construction (CRI-CCC), inflated the cost of reconstruction with the approval of officials. The budget loss is estimated at over $115 million, while the consortium allegedly earned more than $18 million illegally.

The station’s canopy collapsed in November 2024, killing 16 people and sparking mass anti-government protests that later escalated into clashes with police.

The disaster came to symbolize public outrage over entrenched corruption, negligence, and cronyism.

In January, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević stepped down amid the unrest, but opposition demonstrations continued. By late June, protesters issued an ultimatum demanding early parliamentary elections.

President Aleksandar Vučić has so far rejected their calls, urging calm.

Original Author: Raushan Korzhumbekova