Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Dijana Hrka’s world was shattered on November 1 last year, when tonnes of concrete crushed her son to death at a railway station in Serbia. The partial building collapse killed 16 people and sparked anti-government protests across the country.
Hrka, 47, has become one of the rare family members of those killed to speak out. She appeared at the protest to the applause of thousands of youth who accused the autocratic president alexander vucic Government of corruption in construction and other matters.
She will join thousands of protesters again on Saturday in Serbia’s northern city of Novi Sad to mark the anniversary of the Umbrella collapse. Their movement has shaken Vucic’s steadfast rule. Authorities have failed to curb dissent.
Hrka wants accountability for her son and others who were killed, but also for the hundreds of people who have been detained or lost their jobs in the government crackdown on protests.
“Authorities are arresting innocent children… but no one has been held responsible for the deaths of 16 people under one roof,” Harka told The Associated Press, crying.
“I would like them to come and look into my eyes,” she said. “I would ask them: Where is justice?”
She recalled that her son, Stephen, 27, had come to the railway station to pick up someone. It was a sunny day, so he apparently decided to wait outside. He and 15 others, including children, stood no chance when the station canopy collapsed and buried them. Another woman escaped with serious injuries.
“This will always be the worst day of my life,” Hrka said.
The anniversary protests on November 1 are aimed at putting further pressure on Vucic, who has refused to hold early parliamentary elections as demanded by protesters.
They also want that those responsible for the accident should be punished. The judicial inquiry aims to find out how the collapse occurred.
Prosecutors have charged 13 people in the accident, including most engineers and some government officials. But a date for the trial has not been set, and many Serbians doubt that the proceedings will fully expose the alleged corruption they believe is behind the neglect of safety and construction regulations.
Although Saturday’s event is meant to remember the dead, violent incidents are possible after several previous rallies have seen police use tear gas and charge protesters. Vucic’s right wing Serbian Progressive Party Counter rallies have been organised.
One person was wounded in shooting last week at a tent camp hosting Vucic’s supporters belgrade Raised fears of violence. Vucic described the shooting as a politically motivated “act of terrorism”. A man has been arrested.
Vucic has also called the protesters, without presenting evidence, “terrorists” acting against Serbia under orders from the West. Pro-government media and officials regularly accuse protesters of inciting violence, although most rallies have been peaceful.
university Meanwhile, students are trekking or cycling across the country to converge on Novi Sad on Saturday. People Have come out to welcome them on the way.
Hrka said she ignored threats she received on the street and on social media to support the students.
He said, “Once you lose the thing dearest to your heart, you lose fear.” He credited the youth for getting him through the worst phase of his life.
“Whenever I see that beauty and youth I feel better, I even smile with them,” Hrka said. “I hope my Stephen is proud of me and what I’m doing.”