Serbia students block highways in Belgrade and other cities

BELGRADE: Serbian students blocked major roads across the country on Sunday as they marked the 100th day since a railway station disaster sparked a nationwide anti-corruption movement.

A roof collapsed at the newly renovated station in Novi Sad in November, killing 15 people and unleashing long-standing anger in the Balkan nation over alleged corruption and lack of oversight in construction projects.

In Belgrade, hundreds of students blocked the capital´s main road interchange and its ´Gazela´ bridge for seven hours. They observed 15 minutes of silence for the victims before throwing 15 white roses into the Sava river.

Simultaneously, students and other protesters blocked roundabouts at three main roads into Novi Sad and also threw roses in the Danube, local media reported. Some demonstrators say nepotism is the main problem, which they denounce at every gathering, chanting slogans such as “corruption kills” and calling for “justice”. Students, who have been blocking most colleges and universities since November, have taken the lead in the protests.