Serbian prosecutors on Tuesday filed an updated indictment against 13 people, including former construction minister Goran Vesic, in connection with the fatal roof collapse at Novi Sad’s railway station last November that claimed 16 lives and ignited widespread anti-government protests.
The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Sad confirmed that the defendants face charges of “serious crimes against public safety.” In its statement, the office said it had submitted the revised indictment after judges initially returned the December filing in April, requesting additional information. “The indictment proposes that the Higher Court in Novi Sad order custody for all the defendants,” the prosecutor’s office added.
The roof collapse at the recently renovated station in Serbia’s second-largest city has become a powerful symbol of alleged corruption and mismanagement.
What began as calls for a transparent investigation quickly evolved into near-daily protests demanding early elections and greater accountability.
Although the accused were initially released or placed under house arrest, prosecutors say a supplementary investigation has now been completed to strengthen the case.
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In addition to the Novi Sad proceedings, Serbia’s specialised prosecutor for organised crime and corruption in Belgrade is conducting a separate inquiry into the incident. That probe also involves 13 suspects, including Vesic and his predecessor at the Construction Ministry, Tomislav Momirovic.
Meanwhile, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in March launched an independent investigation into the possible misuse of EU funds allocated for the station’s reconstruction, underscoring the international dimension of the scandal.
The case continues to fuel public anger in Serbia, where the tragedy is seen not only as a human loss but also as evidence of systemic governance failures.