Mother of Novi Sad canopy collapse victim continues hunger strike

Zagreb, 3 November 2025 (Hina/MIA) - Dijana Hrka, the mother of a young man killed in the Novi Sad railway canopy collapse, continued her hunger strike Monday after a night of tensions and provocations by supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who accused Hrka and her supporters of being organized from abroad.

Hrka announced the strike at a memorial for the tragedy and began it Sunday, demanding truth and accountability for the collapse that killed her son and 15 others on Nov. 1, 2024. Her demands also include the release of students arrested during months-long protests and the calling of snap elections.

During the day and evening, a large number of citizens, students and activists gathered in Belgrade to support Hrka. Hundreds of Vučić supporters briefly arrived at the tent camp near the parliament, playing patriotic and folk music, and occasionally Chetnik songs. The two groups were separated by heavy police, who did not intervene when bottles and fireworks were thrown.

Police later blamed Hrka's supporters for the incidents, calling them an "organized group" that attacked citizens at a registered public gathering. Thirty-seven people were arrested, including former basketball player and activist Vladimir Štimac, who supports the student movement. Social media footage showed Štimac being pinned to the ground by plainclothes officers; he is reportedly accused of "inciting the overthrow of the constitutional order".

The Academic Crisis Center said it received 22 calls for assistance during student arrests overnight, often in side streets near the protests.

Vučić accused anti-government protesters of links to external actors, claiming gatherings in front of parliament and Pionirski Park were "expected" and coordinated with US embassy officials.

Hrka said she will not give up and expects a response. "I will stay here until the demands are met. Whether I leave on my feet or end up in a hospital bed depends on those people over there," she said.

On Monday morning, several dozen supporters remained with her, while only a few people were visible in Vučić's tent camp.