Thousands rally in Serbia as students continue fight against corruption | Corruption news

University students have proposed banning corrupt officials from politics and investigating their assets.

Thousands of people have rallied in the Serbian city of Novi Sad, as university students who have staged mass protests for more than a year vow to continue their fight against local corruption under right-wing nationalist President Aleksandar Vukic.

Protesters chanted “thieves” and accused the government of corruption. University students told the crowd on Saturday that they had drawn up a plan on how to rid Serbia of corruption and restore the rule of law. He proposed banning corrupt officials from politics and investigating their assets as the first steps for a post-Vukic government.

The protest was named “What is Victory”. Last month, students said they had collected nearly 400,000 signatures in support of their election bid.

The next protest rally is planned for Jan. 27 in the Serbian capital Belgrade, organizers said.

Student-led protests in Serbia a November 2024 Railway Station Disaster 16 people were killed in the northern city, which became a symbol of corruption.

There were thirteen people, including former construction minister Goran Vesik Charged In a criminal case for collusion. The Novi Sad High Court dropped the charges against Vesic last month for lack of evidence.

A separate anti-corruption investigation is underway, along with a European Union-backed investigation into possible misuse of EU funds in the project.

Thousands of people Marking the first anniversary 16 minutes of silence for the 16 victims of the train station roof collapse in Novi Sad in November.

Protests over the collapse of the station led to the resignation of the Prime Minister, the fall of his government and the formation of a new government. But Vukic remained in office.

Vukic has denied allegations of corruption and regularly labeled protesters as foreign-funded rebels, while members of his SNS party pushed conspiracy theories and claimed the train station roof collapse was an orchestrated attack.

Vucic has refused to hold the immediate snap election demanded by the students. Hundreds of people have been detained, or lost their jobs or faced pressure to oppose the government.

Vukic came to power a decade ago promising to take Serbia into the European Union. But he has strengthened ties with Russia and China while facing accusations of curbing democratic freedoms in Serbia and allowing corruption and organized crime to flourish.

The student movement has gained huge support among Serbs, who have largely disillusioned mainstream politicians. Vukic accused the students of acting under unspecified Western orders to “destroy Serbia”.