FLASH NEWS
Reconstruction of the railway station in Novi Sad after the tragedy, the EU Prosecutor's Office conducts investigations into the possibility of misuse of funds
2025-03-14 14:53:36 / BOTA
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has confirmed to Radio Free Europe that investigations are underway into the possible misuse of European Union funds regarding the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station.
Fifteen people died and two others were seriously injured when a concrete shelter collapsed at the railway station on November 1, 2024.
The EPPO said that the Prosecutor's Office should decide on the exercise of its jurisdiction when the misuse relates to EU funds allocated to non-member countries.
Among these countries is Serbia, a candidate country for EU membership.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) said that the prosecution must decide on the exercise of its jurisdiction when fraud is related to EU funds allocated to non-member countries.
These countries also include Serbia, which is a candidate country for membership in the European Union.
“Given that damage to the EU's financial interests is an integral part of the criminal offence of fraud, when this damage occurs in Belgium or Luxembourg [since the funds are paid there, where the EU institutions are located], the jurisdiction of those Member States exists and, consequently, also the jurisdiction of the EPPO, regardless of where the criminal offence occurred, for example on the territory of a third country,” the EPPO said.
This office said that no details of the investigation will be made public in order not to jeopardize this process.
The tragedy in Novi Sad caused great concern in public opinion, as investigations into the causes of the shelter collapse continue.
The incident occurred four months after the inauguration ceremony for the reconstruction of the railway station building was held, following three years of reconstruction.
The reconstruction project was developed by the Serbian branch of the China Railway Design Corporation from the Serbian Institute of Transport.
The reconstruction works were carried out by the Chinese consortium, CRIC&CCCC, consisting of the Chinese company China Railway International Co. Ltd and China Communications Construction Company Ltd.
The contract signed by Serbian authorities with Chinese partners for reconstruction is not public.
Several investigation cases have been opened into the incident in Novi Sad. In December, the Novi Sad Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against 13 people, suspected of negligence during the reconstruction of the concrete shelter.
Among them are the former Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Goran Vesic, his assistant, Anita Dimoski, and the former director of the public infrastructure company, Jelena Tanaskovic.
The Belgrade Public Prosecutor's Office is currently investigating the procedures regarding the financing of the station renovation project in Novi Sad.
Following the Novi Sad incident, students have staged mass protests across Serbia and blocked work at several faculties. They are also demanding the release of all documents related to the reconstruction of the railway station.
While government representatives claim that the students' demands have been met, representatives of a group of experts from the University of Belgrade deny these claims, as students continue their protests./ REL
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