Serbia suspends rail services ahead of major student protest in Belgrade

Railway services across Serbia were suspended on May 23, just hours before a major student-led protest was due to take place in the capital, Belgrade.

A brief statement posted at 4:15 a.m. local time on the website of national operator Srbija Voz said services had been halted “for the time being” across the country. No explanation was provided for the disruption, Caliber.Az reports via dpa. 

A railway employee in the northern border city of Subotica told reporters they were unable to clarify the reason for the suspension.

The move comes ahead of a large demonstration organised by university students, who have been leading a wider protest movement since the collapse of a railway canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024 that killed 16 people.

Students have accused the government of negligence and corruption, and have called for the resignation of President Aleksandar Vučić. Authorities have rejected the accusations and previously responded to protests with arrests of organisers and participants.

Rail services were also suspended twice in 2024 ahead of similar demonstrations. On those occasions, officials cited anonymous bomb threats, although critics said the measures were intended to prevent protesters from travelling to Belgrade.

The latest suspension comes as organisers prepare for a large rally expected at Slavija Square on the evening of May 23, with attendance anticipated to reach tens of thousands.

By Sabina Mammadli