Dijana Hrka, mother of Stefan, who died in a canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station, is on the sixth day of a hunger strike outside the Serbian Parliament. She is demanding truth and accountability for the incident, the release of arrested students, and the calling of early elections.
Statements and Health Update
Hrka told Deutsche Welle that she and her supporters are not the private property of President Aleksandar Vučić, adding:
“He acts as if we are his property and whatever he says must happen. It will not be according to him, but according to the law. Today or tomorrow, he will be accountable for what he has done. Students have been overcharged, students arrested, but no one has been held responsible.”
Regarding her health, Hrka said her immune system has weakened and her voice is hoarse:
“Every day they make me cry. When students come from everywhere, I stand in the middle and gather them all. I feel a little immune system drop and I’ve become hoarse, so I can’t hug them. I’m used to hugging and kissing everyone. Now we can only hold hands, which is hard for me. Their love means a lot to me, and I can see it matters to them too. It will be okay; the important thing is that we are united.”
Support and Atmosphere
- The protest remains peaceful, with nearby streets including Takovska, Kneza Miloša, and Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra open for traffic.
- The hunger strike began on Sunday, with Hrka calling for justice for the death of her son and 15 others, the release of students arrested during protests, and early parliamentary elections.
- On Friday, high school students from Belgrade showed solidarity, bringing school banners, whistles, and chanting the now-famous rhythm “ko ne skače, taj je ćaci” (“who doesn’t jump is a ćaci”).
