Serbian Protests Escalate After Car Rams Demonstrators in Belgrade

A student-led movement demands accountability for a deadly train station collapse, as tensions rise with counter-rallies and violent incidents.

A 24-year-old driver was detained after ramming a car into anti-government protesters in Belgrade, injuring a 26-year-old woman whose condition remains unclear.
The protests, led by university students, were sparked by the deaths of 15 people in a Novi Sad train station roof collapse in November, attributed to corruption and poor oversight.
Friday's demonstrations included a nationwide strike that shut down schools, businesses, and cultural institutions, with participants observing 15 minutes of silence at the time of the collapse.
President Aleksandar Vucic organized a counter-rally in Jagodina, accusing protesters of being influenced by foreign intelligence and defending his government’s actions.
Prosecutors have charged 13 individuals, including a former infrastructure minister, in connection with the collapse, but doubts over the investigation's independence persist.