(Adnkronos) – A group of protesters stormed the Belgrade headquarters of Serbian President Alexander Vucic’s party, the Progressive Party, at dawn today, throwing eggs, bottles and other objects, shattering several windows. The protest is part of the anti-government and anti-corruption demonstrations underway since November, following the death of 16 people – including children – crushed by the roof collapse at the Novi Sad railway station, where renovation work was underway.
The Belgrade Interior Ministry announced that the demonstration had not been authorized in any way: the participants, starting from Aviatorov Square, in the Zemun district, headed towards the party headquarters. They then had a verbal altercation with some members of the political group who were near the party headquarters, which resulted in the throwing that caused the windows to break. (continued)
A few days ago, the Serbian Prosecutor’s Office announced the arrest of six people, including a former minister, on charges of abuse of power in connection with the corruption investigation opened after the collapse on November 1 in Novi Sad. The tragedy was quickly attributed to episodes of corruption by public opinion and several investigations were launched: one, focused on the circumstances of the accident and the victims, was entrusted to the General Prosecutor’s Office of Novi Sad.
A second, opened in February, focuses on the corruption aspect and has been entrusted to the Prosecutor’s Office responsible for organized crime. It was in connection with the second investigation that six people were arrested, including the former Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Tomislav Momirovic, all accused of abuse of power. Nine other people are wanted.
Since November, protests have multiplied across Serbia. Some of these have brought together hundreds of thousands of people challenging the government, calling for a transparent investigation, respect for the rule of law and early elections.
