A Serbian higher court on Wednesday had released former minister Goran Vesic, who had been detained last Thursday in connection with the unfortunate collapse of a railway station roof. The tragedy had killed 15 people and elicited a wave of protests.
The concrete awning of the recently renovated roof collapsed on Nov. 1 in Novi Sad, killing 14 and injuring three. One of those hurt eventually succumbed to their injuries.
Opposition leaders and the public have taken to the streets consistently, even going as far as to blame the accident on government corruption and nepotism that came about as a result of poor construction.
While the ruling coalition denied these charges, President Aleksandar Vucic reiterated that those responsible must be held to account.
Last Thursday, 11 people including Vesic and the head of the railway company were apprehended on the grounds of committing a criminal act against public safety.
But on Wednesday, the Higher Court in Novi Sad remarked in a statement that it had “lifted detention” for Vesic since evidence presented by the prosecutors did not show reasonable grounds for suspecting that he had committed a criminal offence.
After the disaster in Novi Sad, Vesic resigned immeduately. Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic, who was transport and infrastructure minister at the time of the railway station reconstruction equally resigned as well.
The other 10 people are still in detention as at the time of filing this report, including two, both women, who have been placed under house arrest.
