Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade (BETAPHOTO/Ana Slovic)
The Special Anti-Corruption Department of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered on Feb. 24 the arrest of S.K., the investment development manager of the Infrastructure Railways of Serbia based in Belgrade, and three members of the Technical Inspection Commission in charge of the Novi Sad Railway Station.
They were detained for committing several corruption-related offenses that resulted in the collapse of the station’s concrete canopy on Nov. 1, 2024, which killed 15 people and left two with serious injuries, the Prosecutor’s Office reported.
The arrested individuals include M.S., chairman of the Technical Inspection Commission, as well as commission members J.V. and M.N.J. The third member, B.K., remains at large, and the authorities have proposed that she be remanded detention and issued an arrest warrant against.
There is a reasonable suspicion that between March 25 and Nov. 1, 2024, M.S., B.K., J.V., and M.N.J., as responsible officials, violated laws, regulations, and general acts by failing to fulfill their supervisory duties and otherwise acting recklessly in their official capacity. They were aware that such actions could lead to serious harm to others, which ultimately occurred, the prosecutor’s office stated.
They compiled a report on the technical inspection of the station building at the Novi Sad Railway Station, identifying certain deficiencies but concluding that these did not affect the stability and functionality of the structure. Furthermore, during the trial operation of the building, they failed to verify compliance with the conditions for obtaining an occupancy permit. According to expert findings, they could have visually detected fracture signs that were visible in the days leading up to the canopy collapse.
Regarding S.K., as the responsible representative of the investor, she submitted the report, records, and other documentation while knowing that the technical inspection report dated April 5, 2024, was not conducted in full compliance with regulations and professional standards. As a result, the trial operation of the Novi Sad Railway Station building was approved for no longer than one year.
The suspects are charged with “gross neglect” and “a serious offense against public safety”. S.K. is additionally accused of the “abuse of official position” and also “a serious offense against public safety.”
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