Serbian Students Exposing Corruption By Initiating a 24-Hour Blockade

Serbian university students have taken a stand by initiating a 24-hour blockade of a crucial traffic intersection in Belgrade on January 27. This action comes in response to the tragic collapse of a train station roof in Novi Sad, which resulted in the loss of 15 lives back in November. The renovation of the main railway station in Novi Sad, carried out twice in recent years through an infrastructure agreement with Chinese state companies, has raised concerns among many in Serbia.

The belief is that the collapse of the concrete roof was a result of shoddy workmanship stemming from corruption. Initially, the Serbian people mourned the victims of the tragedy in silence, holding vigils in their memory. However, as time progressed, grief transformed into anger, leading to protests at various locations by different groups. The incident at the train station has become a focal point for broader discontent with the Serbian government, highlighting the increasing public demand for transparency in the midst of major infrastructure projects, many of which involve Chinese state companies.

These demonstrations pose a significant challenge to the government's longstanding hold on power. President Aleksandar Vucic has called for dialogue with the protesting students on January 27, emphasizing the need to de-escalate tensions and engage in meaningful conversations.

Despite Vucic's call for dialogue, he has also accused the students of being influenced by foreign powers seeking to overthrow his government. The students, on the other hand, have declined previous invitations to meet with him. Recent incidents during the demonstrations, including cars driving into crowds and causing injuries, have raised concerns about safety.

To prevent further incidents, traffic police have been deployed to secure the student blockade, with additional support from farmers on tractors and thousands of citizens who have joined the cause. The students have erected tents at the intersection, a busy thoroughfare for commuters, and observed a 15-minute silence at 11:52, the exact time of the train station roof collapse.