site.btaStudent-led Protest Blocks Belgrade Section of E75 for 24 Hours

A student-led protest in Belgrade blocked for 24 hours a road junction on the international road E75 in Belgrade on Monday. Student anti-government protests and blockades in Serbia were organized after a concrete canopy at Novi Sad railway station collapsed and killed 15 people on November 12024. Protesters want those responsible for the tragedy in the northern Serbian city to be punished.

The blockade of the road junction in a Belgrade district comes three days after students called for a general strike, to which tens of thousands across the country responded.

"We will not go out on the highway or on the tram tracks. This is a peaceful protest," the students said and called on citizens to join them. At 11:52 am local time - the time of the Novi Sad tragedy - protesters observed 15 minutes of silence.

The police are guarding the blockade after a call by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, despite the fact that he believes the students' actions are illegal.

None of the country's representative unions has committed to an official decision to call a general strike. In the local media, experts have argued whether it is possible to have a mass walkout under Serbian law without leading to dismissals and reprisals by the government and employers.

In the afternoon on the President, the Prime Minister and the President of the Serbian Assembly are expected to make a joint statement and comment on the latest developments.