Collapse at Serbian train station sparks arrests: two former ministers jailed
Illustrative photo: 13 people arrested in Serbia over station canopy collapse (Getty Image)
A court in Serbia has ordered the arrest of 13 individuals suspected in the case of a canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station. The incident resulted in the deaths of 16 people and sparked large-scale protests, according to PTC.
According to the outlet, the Higher Court in Belgrade has ordered a 30-day detention for former Trade Minister Tomislav Momirović, former Infrastructure Minister Goran Vesić, and 11 other suspects in the case related to the collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad railway station.
The suspects are currently under investigation for corruption during the railway modernization project. Their actions may have caused up to $115 million in damages to the state budget. They have the right to appeal the court decision within the next three days.
Protests in Serbia
Protests have continued across Serbia following the deadly roof collapse in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. Public outrage is mounting: several ministers, including those of trade, transport, construction, and infrastructure, have resigned. However, demonstrators accuse the government of corruption and demand systemic reforms.
Prime Minister Miloš Vučević also announced his resignation, saying it was meant to ease tensions. This is not the first wave of protests in Belgrade. In November 2024, mass demonstrations took place, and earlier in December 2023, protests erupted over parliamentary election results.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has referred to the protests in Belgrade as "color revolutions."
In March 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin claimed that Russian intelligence services had helped suppress months-long anti-government protests.
