BELGRADE — Serbia’s public prosecutor announced on Monday that 13 people, including a former minister, have been indicted over the collapse of a concrete canopy that claimed 15 lives last month and sparked weeks of mass anti-government demonstrations.

The suspects, charged in the northern city of Novi Sad where the incident occurred on 1 November, face accusations of severe criminal offenses against public safety and irregular execution of construction work.

If convicted, they could face prison sentences of up to 12 years.

The collapsed canopy was part of a railway station building that had undergone two recent renovations as part of an infrastructure agreement with Chinese companies.

Public outrage has centred on allegations of corruption and substandard construction practices, believed by many to have contributed to the deadly incident.

Initially, 14 people were reported dead and three injured, with one more victim ultimately succumbing to their injuries in hospital.

The tragedy has ignited widespread anger, fuelling street protests against populist President Aleksandar Vučić and his administration.

The indictment must now be validated by a court before proceedings can move forward. Prosecutors in Novi Sad have also requested that the accused be detained during the trial.

Among those indicted is former Construction Minister Goran Vesić, as well as officials and contractors involved in the station’s renovation.

Vesić was previously detained but later released, prompting scepticism about the integrity of the investigation and the independence of Serbia’s judiciary.

It remains unclear when the trial might begin.

The ongoing street protests and a university student strike have posed a challenge to Vučić's grip on power. Although the Serbian leader outwardly advocates for European Union membership, he faces mounting accusations of undermining democratic freedoms rather than advancing them. — Euronews