Serbia paralysed by mass protests sparked by train station tragedy

BELGRADE - The Serbian capital Belgrade was swept by a wave of protests over the weekend, sparked by the tragedy last November when the roof of a train station in Novi Sad fell in, killing 15 people.

Students across the country are accusing authorities of corruption leading to the disaster. Since then, state universities and most schools across Serbia have been on strike.

Most students and their professors are demanding that those responsible for the disaster be brought to justice. On Friday evening, thousands of students from the University of Novi Sad walked to Belgrade.

They walked for two days despite calls from the authorities not to go to the protests in Belgrade. Thousands of local residents took to the streets to welcome them, with traffic police keeping a close eye on their actions.

Students from all over Serbia are welcomed during mass protests in Belgrade. /Djordje Kojadinovic/Reuters

Still, authorities say there is a high risk of violence on the streets on Saturday night, when the biggest protests are planned. Students say they are not inciting violence. Student Ivan Vladimir was among those who walked from Novi Sad.

"They were and are peaceful protests. We are not calling for any violence, as we have never called for violence before. And we are not afraid," he said.

Many representatives of the Serbian ruling establishment claim that the student protests are just a smokescreen for the so-called colour revolution in Serbia. They warn that any violence will be quickly quelled.

"Only our people will govern the country through democratic elections," Minister of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs Nemanja Starovic told CGTN Europe.

"It will not be the crowds in the streets, and certainly not extremist political groups that are prepared to use violence to advance their political goals."

Tense provocations

However, tensions are particularly high in the centre of Belgrade, where local citizens have joined the students.

A few days ago, supporters of the government set up a makeshift camp in front of the Serbian presidency. Then, on Thursday evening, hundreds of tractors were deployed around this camp to limit contact between the two opposing sides.

Riot police are also present to prevent any contact between the two groups. Nevertheless, there are provocations from both sides.

We saw one man shouting at the police because he thinks they are defending the government, while a girl demanded an apology from the government supporters who are in the camp.

Meanwhile, the protesters deflated almost all the tractor tires. Tensions are escalating.

CMG / gnews.cz-jav