Serbia’s schools, bookshops and theatres shut in anti-government protest

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BELGRADE (Reuters) – Many schools, bookstores, theatres and bars in Serbia’s capital Belgrade and some other parts stayed shut on Friday in the latest anti-government protest triggered by a railway station roof collapse that killed 15 people in November.

Demonstrators say corruption, nepotism and shoddy construction work were behind the disaster and want swifter judicial action against those found responsible.

The government denies blame for the deaths.

With teachers’ unions backing a strike call from students, most schools in Belgrade were closed on Friday.

Thousands of students gathered in front of the main government building and stood silent for 15 minutes to remember those who died when a concrete awning of the recently-renovated station roof in the city of Novi Sad caved in.

They then planned to march across Belgrade.

Prosectuors in Novi Sad have indicted 13 people, including a former infrastructure minister, in connection with the roof collapse, but the indictment has not yet been accepted in court.

Theatres said they would not show plays in the evening and a publishing house kept its 45 bookstores closed.

“Students and teachers need our support in their fight for the just system of values in society,” the Laguna publishers said in a statement.

Some cafes in Belgrade stayed open but served free food and drinks or lowered prices.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who wields strong influence in the ruling Serbia Progressive Party, scheduled a counter-rally in the town of Jagodina later in the day.

Though his position is meant to be largely ceremonial, protesters say he has abused the constitution by usurping executive powers. He denies that.

(Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)