Prosecutor's Office: 13 indictments filed due to falling canopy; Vesić must go back to custody

"Due to the tragic event on November 1, 2024, when the roof of the Railway Station building in Novi Sad collapsed, when 15 people lost their lives and two people were seriously injured, the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad informs the public that on December 30, 2024, it filed an indictment against thirteen defendants," the statement of the Prosecutor's Office stated.

As stated on the website of that prosecution, indictments were brought against J.T. former acting general director of "Serbian Railway Infrastructure" JSC., G.V. former minister in the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, A.D. former acting assistant minister in the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure and N.Š. former general director of "Serbian Railway Infrastructure" JSC.

As further stated, the indictments were filed due to reasonable suspicion that they committed the crime of Felony against general security from Article 288 paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code in connection with the criminal offense of Causing general danger from Article 278 paragraph 3 in connection with paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code.

The list also includes: S.N. responsible designer of the building structure, M.J. chief designer of the conceptual project, Lj.M.M. chief designer of the building permit project, M.S. reporter for constructions of the Republic Revision Commission, J.S.M. person responsible for technical control, Z.S.M. and D.J. persons responsible for construction works, M.G. and D.T. persons responsible for expert supervision, due to reasonable suspicion that they have committed the crime Serious crime against general safety from Article 288 paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code in connection with the criminal offense Irregular and improper execution of construction works from Article 281 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.

The indictment was brought after the investigative phase of the criminal procedure was completed by issuing the Order on the completion of the investigation.

The indictment was submitted to the High Court in Novi Sad, along with all the documentation collected during the pre-investigation and investigative procedure, as well as all other evidence supporting the existence of justified suspicion for indictment.

In the indictment, it was proposed to extend the detention of all defendants who are in custody, namely: to the N.Š. former general director of "Serbian Railway Infrastructure" JSC., to S.N. the responsible designer of the building structure, to M.J. the chief designer of the conceptual project, to Lj.M.M. the chief designer of the building permit project, to M.S. the reporter for constructions of the Republic Revision Commission, to J.S.M. the person responsible for technical control, to Z.S.M. and D.J. persons responsible for construction works and to M.G. and D.T. persons responsible for professional supervision.

Detention was proposed for all defendants who are not in custody, namely: J.T. former acting general director of "Serbian Railway Infrastructure" JSC., G.V. former minister in the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure and A.D. former acting assistant minister in the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure.

In order to protect the interests of all injured parties, the indictment proposed that the court in authorized persons award property claims. In addition, it was proposed that all the defendants be ordered to take a security measure, Prohibition of calling, activities and duties from Article 85 of the Criminal Code, as well as that all the defendants be obliged to pay the full costs of the criminal proceedings.

"Given the tragic consequences of the events of November 1, 2024, the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad expects that the panel of the Higher Court in Novi Sad, for the sake of further urgent and efficient action in this criminal proceeding, in accordance with the law, will confirm within a short period of time the indictment, which will create the conditions for scheduling the main trial and determining the criminal responsibility of all the defendants", concludes the statement of the prosecution, which was published on their website.