Fresh protest in Novi Sad, opposition scuffles with police

The protest, which includes a large number of opposition supporters, was organized in the wake of the November 1 collapse of a canopy roof at the city’s main railway station which claimed 15 lives. The protesters are demanding accountability for the tragedy and the release of people arrested during a protest in front of Novi Sad City Hall.

Police in riot gear were joined by Gendarmerie troopers on Wednesday with scuffles breaking out. Two women managed to wrestle a riot shield from one policeman, sat on it and refused to hand it back. One policeman’s pistol dropped to the ground in a scuffle.

Several opposition MPs managed to enter the building. Pavle Grbovic MP said that he and two other opposition officials managed to get past the police cordon. He said the police said they would use force but that the crowd was not scared. “The blockade was peaceful and the police used violence first,” he added.

An N1 reporter said that the Appeals Court President agreed to meet with the opposition MPs who enter the building but they refused.