(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, JAN 27 - Thousands of student
protesters blocked a major road junction in the Serbian capital
on Monday, as demonstrators pile pressure on the government over
a fatal collapse of a train station roof in November. The
blockade in Belgrade -- which was set to last for 24 hours --
came after student organisers called for a general strike last
Friday that saw lawyers stop work, and the closure of small
businesses and schools across Serbia. There have been almost
daily roadblocks and protests throughout the country since 15
people died in the northern city of Novi Sad on November 1 at a
train station that had recently been renovated. Many in Serbia
have blamed corruption and poor construction oversight for the
tragedy. Following Friday's strike, protests continued over the
weekend with rallies held in nearly 20 cities on Saturday
followed by a call on Sunday evening for Serbians to bang pots
and pans and make noise from their open windows in support of
the students. With pressure mounting on the government,
President Aleksandar Vucic on Saturday called on the officials
to publish all documents related to the fatal roof collapse -- a
key demand by student organisers. (ANSA-AFP).
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