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Serbian anti-government protesters block a key bridge in Belgrade
2025-02-09 20:39:02 / BOTA
Serbian students blocked a key bridge in Belgrade and several roads in other parts of the Balkan country on Sunday, 100 days after the roof of a train station collapsed, killing 15 people.
Many residents joined the students in the 7-hour blockade of the Gazela Bridge over the Sava River in the Serbian capital.
In parallel, protesters launched a three-hour blockade of main roads in Novi Sad, while students in Niš blocked a motorway toll booth at the entrance to the southern city.
These blockades are part of a wave of protests led by students, who are calling for justice for the November 1 tragedy at a train station in Novi Sad, an accident that critics say occurred due to government corruption.
"In 100 days, no one has been held accountable," read a red sign in Novi Sad.
Anti-corruption protests have turned into a nationwide movement against the populist government of authoritarian President Aleksandar Vučić.
He has accused the protesters of working for the interests of foreign intelligence services and has vowed to defeat what he called a "color revolution" that he says is aimed at ousting him from power.
The student-led movement has already forced the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vučević, an ally of President Vučić and his government.
The train station accident has become a flashpoint symbolizing the pro-democracy struggle against President Vučić and his government. Tens of thousands of people have joined almost daily rallies and blockades in recent weeks.
As they marched towards the Gazela Bridge, protesters held red banners with the names of the victims of the November 1 accident. Later, they threw 15 white roses dyed red into the Sava River to symbolize the “blood on the hands” of the populist authorities.
"There is hope. A new movement is awakening. A new strength and energy can be seen in the people," said protester Ivan Plečić.
President Vučić has embarked on a tour of propaganda rallies with his supporters in various cities and villages, to counter the growing protests.
On Saturday, during a trip, his car had a flat tire, an incident that has been described by tabloids and pro-government officials as an assassination attempt carried out by demonstrators.
Since President Vučić and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party came to power more than a decade ago, authorities have gradually imposed tight controls on state institutions and mainstream media, portraying any dissent against the populist leadership as a foreign-led conspiracy aimed at Serbia's destruction.
On Sunday, a group of students began a march from the central city of Kragujevac to the capital Belgrade, where they will distribute invitations to fellow students for a rally on February 15, Serbia's national statehood holiday. President Vučić plans to hold a rally with his supporters in Novi Sad on the same day.
A large number of citizens in Serbia believe that institutions are not working in the public interest. Many protesters believe that the collapse of the roof at the Novi Sad train station was the result of government corruption related to a major infrastructure project with Chinese state-owned companies. /VOA
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