Serbia pardons 13 people linked to protests over roof collapse

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday pardoned 13 people arrested during a string of recent mass demonstrations over the fatal collapse of a train station roof in November.

Serbia has been rattled by unrelenting protests in the wake of the deadly disaster at the train station in the northern city of Novi Sad that killed 15 people, following extensive renovations at the facility.

According to a statement from the president’s office, six students, a university dean and professor, along with several other academics, were among the pardoned.

Dropping charges against those arrested during the protests has been a key demand among student organisers leading the demonstrations.

“The decisions on the pardons of the president of the republic have been sent to the ministry of justice for further processing,” Vucic’s office said.

The collapse, which followed extensive renovation work at the station, has ignited long-standing anger across Serbia over corruption and the alleged lack of oversight on construction projects.

Pressure has been piling on Vucic’s government for weeks, following a general strike and mass demonstrations across the country along with regular road blockages.

On Monday, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned, the highest ranking official yet to step down after both the ministers of transport and trade quit their posts.

The authorities also released a raft of documents linked to the station’s renovations and promised more would follow.

Student organisers continue to demand more action, including greater transparency into the investigation and the release of all documents linked to the renovation of the station.

Other key demands include dropping charges against protesters arrested at rallies, an end to attacks on demonstrators, and increased government spending on education.

For months, Vucic and other government officials have oscillated between issuing calls for talks and allegations that the demonstrators were being backed by foreign powers, while insisting they have met the students’ demands.