site.btaNovi Sad Prosecution Office Orders Arrest for 12 over Train Station Roof Collapse

Twelve people were arrested Thursday in connection with the November 1 collapse of a concrete roof at the Novi Sad train station, Serbian media report quoting the Novi Sad High Prosecutor's Office announced. The collapsed structure caused 15 deaths.

First, 11 arrests were reported in the morning and then the prosecution service said that there is one more suspect but his whereabouts are unknown.

The detainees are suspected of committing criminal acts against public security, causing public danger and improperly executing construction works, Beta news agency said.

According to the prosecutors' announcement, these crimes are punishable by 2 to 12 years in prison.

The state-run RTS television reported that among the detainees are former construction minister Goran Vesic, his deputy in charge of rail transport Anita Dimoski, and the former acting director of Serbia's railway infrastructure company Jelena Tanaskovic. Tanaskovic's predecessor, Nebojša Šurlan, has also been detained. 

Later, Goran Vesic announced on his Instagram account that he was not arrested, but had decided to travel to Novi Sad to cooperate with the investigating and the prosecution authorities.

Jelena Tanaskovic resigned on Wednesday and Goran Vesic stepped down as minister on November 5, but announced that he felt no guilt for the tragedy in the northern Serbian town.

Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic, who was Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure in the 2020-2022 period, also stepped down on Wednesday.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic told state broadcaster RTS Thursday that there would be no more resignations. Vucic announced that it is now the turn of the competent authorities to do their job.

The announcement by the Novi Sad prosecution service says that 66 people have so far been questioned in the case and five more remain to be questioned. 

Several protests have been held in Belgrade and Novi Sad demanding that those responsible for the tragedy be held accountable and that protesters detained in earlier rallies should be released. 

On Thursday, opposition MPs and municipal councillors stood at the entrance to the prosecution service and the court buildings in Novi Sad for a third day to put pressure on the institutions to step in and arrest those responsible for the November 1 tragedy. 

A protest is being organized on Friday in Novi Sad and everybody in town is urged to stand 15 silent minutes in memory of the 15 people who died.

On Thursday, students and professors in the Political Sciences Faculty in Belgrade were 15 minutes late for classes.