Today, November 1, 2026, marks two years since the collapse of the canopy at the Railway Station in Novi Sad — a tragedy that claimed 16 innocent lives.
Sara Firić, Valentina Firić, Đorđe Firić, Milica Adamović, Nemanja Komar, Anđela Ruman, Miloš Milosavljević, Stefan Hrka, Sanja Ćirić Arbutina, Vasko Sazdovski, Goranka Raca, Vukašin Raković, Mileva Karanović, Đuro Švonja, Anja Radonjić and Vukašin Crnčević.
Among them were grandfather Đorđe and his little girls, Sara and Valentina. Sixteen lives. Sixteen irreplaceable losses. Families forever plunged into mourning.
I bow my head before their pain. I remember those who lost their lives with deep reverence and prayer, and extend my most sincere condolences and human solidarity to their families.
We owe them the complete truth, justice and full accountability.
My deep conviction is that this tragedy demonstrates the most horrific consequences of systemic, endemic and political corruption — Serbia’s cancerous wound over the past 36 years, with roots reaching back much further.
Corruption, unfortunately, exists throughout the world, and it is our duty to fight it everywhere. In Serbia, we have felt in the most painful way that it can endanger and take human lives. This must never be allowed to happen again.
The fight against organized crime, systemic corruption and political corruption has been a lasting commitment throughout my academic, professional and public work — from my duties as Inspector General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia to the present day. I have devoted years to it through practical work, research, teaching, and my master’s and doctoral studies.
As an active participant in October 5, then a young lawyer on the streets of Belgrade alongside students and citizens, I look back with pride on the achievements of those events, but also on the great missed opportunities and broken promises.
This must serve as a lasting reminder to the Student List and the future Government of Serbia: the mistakes of October 5 must not be repeated. There must be no new cycle of political corruption, nor any deals that would protect the corrupt and criminal interests of the previous government. This is a red line that must not be crossed.
Because of my views, I have been subjected to attacks and pressure, including an attack following my post on October 5, 2026. None of this has changed my course.
I will persevere consistently and publicly, in accordance with God’s laws and the laws of humanity.
I will seek the protection of my rights before the competent courts. I intend to donate the entire amount of any compensation awarded and collected to the families of those killed in the Novi Sad canopy collapse.
Today, the victims, their families and our sacred obligation toward them are at the center of our attention. It is unacceptable that, two years later, they are still waiting for the full truth and full accountability.
Everything must be investigated down to the last detail: every contract, flow of money, decision, communication, connection between political officials and contractors and subcontractors, and every failure in the station’s reconstruction and safety. Everyone’s criminal, political, financial and professional responsibility must be established.
No one must be protected by their position, party affiliation, money, or political or any other influence.
This must be the new government’s first priority, alongside investigating violence, unlawful arrests, vehicles being driven into students and citizens, persecution, and media campaigns against people who peacefully demanded accountability.
Students responded to insults, pressure and lies with courage, prudence, restraint and wisdom, sometimes with humor, satire and sarcasm. They traveled across Serbia from end to end, knocked on citizens’ doors and restored their hope.
On October 25, Serbia opened both its doors and its heart to them.
I congratulate citizens on their turnout and dignity, and the students and their list on a brilliant victory. To me, this is a victory of David over Goliath — of youth and civic solidarity over an enormous political, financial and propaganda machine.
That victory now carries an obligation to work responsibly. That is why I call for:
AN ANTI-CORRUPTION COALITION AT THE LEVEL OF SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.
A CLEAR ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY.
AN ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTION PLAN — with precise commitments, deadlines and measurable results.
This coalition must be stronger than any political coalition or any individual. Its strength must rest on the law, independent institutions and the support of citizens. That is how anti-corruption awareness is built throughout society.
Everyone is needed: state authorities, the academic community, young people, the media, churches and religious communities, businesses, sports associations and civil society. The goal is zero tolerance for corruption and a determined fight against organized crime, strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
I welcome the fact that Aleksandar Vučić appeared before the public with the election results and acknowledged the defeat of the “United Serbia” list, which he headed. I consider this the most significant decision made after the elections, because it opens the way for a peaceful, lawful, swift and efficient transition of power.
I call on that list to establish, without delay, the political responsibility of its leadership for the electoral defeat and to support an examination of all allegations concerning links between its officials and organized crime, drug cartels and corruption. It should participate without hesitation in constituting the National Assembly and support the Student List in building an anti-corruption coalition and adopting the necessary laws.
They owe this to Serbia, their voters and the many honest members of their party. The faster, more thorough and more decisive this process is, the more honorable and beneficial it will be for their future. Any delay or obstruction would only deepen their political and moral responsibility.
No one must be held accountable for their vote or party affiliation. People are held accountable for specific unlawful acts. The same law and the same standards must apply to everyone — including me. There must be no exceptions and no one above the law.
As a legal expert, former lawyer and current diplomat, I emphasize: prosecutors’ offices, courts and other competent authorities do not have to, and should not, wait for a new government. They are obliged to secure documentation, preserve evidence, examine financial flows and take measures within their jurisdiction without delay. I call on citizens to help the investigation by sharing what they know. The concealment of evidence and destruction of documentation must be prevented and punished under the law.
In New York, as Consul General, I ensured, together with my team, that all voters who contacted us could register without hindrance and vote peacefully, freely and fairly. According to the polling board’s data, turnout was almost 91 percent, while the Student List won more than 95 percent of the votes cast — without a single incident or a single reported irregularity.
This is an achievement of the entire team and the expanded polling board, but also our professional duty. The diplomatic service must be a politically neutral service for all citizens of Serbia, regardless of their political beliefs.
I particularly want to highlight young people and our diaspora — in New York, throughout the United States and around the world. They have shown how much they care about Serbia. Their knowledge, experience and international connections must be given a genuine place in decision-making, in the new government and in the country’s renewal.
I consider the development of strategic dialogue with the United States, which our people in America strongly support, an important foreign policy priority for the new government.
Out of immeasurable pain, resistance and hope were born. It is our duty to justify that hope through truth, justice and institutions that protect every human life.
I consider a determined, lawful fight against organized crime and corruption our sacred duty to those who lost their lives innocently and to their families.
In the words of Patriarch Pavle: “Let us be human.” Let us show it through our actions.
Lord, grant peace to the souls of those who innocently lost their lives, strength and comfort to their families, and perseverance to us so that we may return Serbia to its citizens and young people, free from corruption, organized crime and fear.
May this day of remembrance also be a day of our determination that, inspired by faith in Christ’s victory over death, Serbia will defeat corruption and rise again in truth, justice and freedom.
Eternal remembrance to those who innocently lost their lives.
Ambassador, Assistant Professor, Dr. Vladimir Božović
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