Serbia’s Belgrade (AP) As part of ongoing anti-government demonstrations in the wake of the collapse of a concrete canopy in the country’s north last month that claimed 15 lives, citizens of Serbia observed a 15-minute silence on Friday.
Since Nov. 1 at 11:52 a.m., when the canopy of the Novi Sad railway station building collapsed on persons sitting or walking below on a beautiful day, traffic blockades have been in place every Friday.
Three people were hurt and fourteen people were killed at first, but one more person passed away while in the hospital. Weeks later, the two injured are still in the hospital.
In recent years, the station building has undergone two renovations. Many in Serbia think that the building reconstruction, which was a part of a larger train project with Chinese state firms, was done carelessly because of widespread corruption.
In response to popular calls for democratic reforms, the collapse has also turned into a focal point for larger discontent with populist President Aleksandar Vu’s increasingly dictatorial administration.
On Wednesday night, thousands of people protested the state RTS television station’s pro-government editorial practices outside the building, with university students leading the demonstration.
Vu’s claims that students were paid by the West and other countries to stage rallies in an attempt to topple his administration have been aired by RTS.
Numerous areas across the nation had road blockades on Friday. Some protesters told the authorities they had blood on their hands by holding out their hands in red-painted rubber gloves.
According to Serbian media, a car crashed into demonstrators at a Novi Sad blockage location. Four musicians were hurt at a silent road blockade in central Belgrade a week ago, according to reports of a similar event.
In recent weeks, street protests have also periodically descended into violence as pro-government thugs have appeared to break up student marches and opposition-led meetings.
For days, classes have been suspended at over 50 university faculties and several secondary schools across Serbia.
On Friday, Serbian farmers also used their tractors to block a route in the country’s center while brandishing a flag with a bleeding hand on it. Daily demonstrations outside theaters were announced by an actors’ guild.
By releasing some 130 documents pertaining to the renovation of the train station building, which has been one of the protest demands, the Vu’s government has attempted to allay growing discontent.
Thirteen persons have been arrested by prosecutors, while a government minister has been freed. Because the ruling populists have tight control over the judiciary and the police, this has increased suspicion about the processes.
Despite promising to bring Serbia into the European Union, Vu i has tightened its hold on all state institutions and the mainstream media since taking office more than ten years ago.
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