Thousands of Serbians took to the streets in central city Kragujevac to demand an end to corruption and government accountability, marking Statehood Day with a student-led protest. The rally drew thousands of people, waving flags with bloody handprints, and blocking main boulevards.
The protests follow the deadly collapse of a train station roof in Novi Sad last November, which killed 15 people. The tragedy fueled longstanding anger over corruption and demands for accountability. Students have been leading the charge, forcing the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Milos Vucevic.
On Saturday, protesters observed 15 minutes of silence to honor the victims at 10:52 GMT, marking a key moment in the demonstrations. The blockade was planned to last past midnight, coinciding with the anniversary of the enactment of the Serbian Constitution in 1835.
President Aleksandar Vucic urged protesters to engage in dialogue and listen to him, telling them to declare victory if their demands are met. However, students in Kragujevac continue to call for greater transparency and accountability from the government. The protests come as the government has already tried to meet some of the students’ demands, but the movement shows no signs of slowing down.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/2/16/thousands-mark-statehood-day-of-serbia-with-anticorruption-protest