The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has informed Radio Free Europe (RFE) that it is investigating potential misuse of European Union (EU) funds related to the reconstruction of the Novi Sad Railway Station.

On November 1, 2024, a tragic incident occurred when a canopy collapsed at the station, resulting in the deaths of fifteen individuals and leaving two others seriously injured.

The EPPO has stated that the prosecution will determine its jurisdiction in cases of fraud involving EU funds allocated to non-EU nations.

This includes Serbia, which is a candidate for EU membership.

“Since the damage to the financial interests of the Union is a core component of the fraud offense, if that damage takes place in Belgium or Luxembourg (where the funds are distributed, as the EU institutions are based there), those Member States hold jurisdiction, including the jurisdiction of the EPPO, regardless of where the offense occurs, such as within a third country,” the EPPO explained.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has indicated that further details about the investigation cannot be disclosed to protect its integrity.

The incident in Novi Sad happened four months after the grand opening of the newly reconstructed Railway Station, which followed a three-year renovation.

This refurbishment was part of the overall initiative to modernize the Novi Sad – Subotica – Hungarian border railway. The project was orchestrated by the Serbian division of the China Railway Design Corporation and the CIP Transport Institute of Serbia.

The work was entrusted to the Chinese consortium CRIC&CCCC, which includes China Railway International Co. Ltd and China Communications Construction Company Ltd.

The contract between Serbian officials and their Chinese partners regarding this project has not been made available to the public.

Multiple investigations are underway concerning the canopy’s collapse. On December 30, the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Sad charged 13 individuals, suspecting negligence in the canopy’s reconstruction.

Among those charged are former Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesić, his assistant Anita Dimoski, and former director of the public company “Infrastrukture Železnice Srbije” Jelena Tanasković.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime in Belgrade is currently conducting a preliminary investigation into the financing of the renovation project of the Novi Sad Railway Station.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, widespread protests erupted throughout Serbia, with students blocking operations at numerous faculties nationwide. They are demanding the release of all documents pertaining to the renovation of the Novi Sad Railway Station.

While government officials assert that these documents have been disclosed, representatives from expert groups at Belgrade University contest this claim, and student protests continue.

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