Dijana Hrka, mother of Stefan Hrka, who died in the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station a year ago, began a hunger strike today at 11:52 AM near the Serbian Parliament in Belgrade.
Speaking to reporters, Hrka said she undertook the protest to demand justice and accountability for the deaths of her son and 15 others in the tragedy. She criticized the authorities, saying the government is treating her “like a war criminal and terrorist” and expressed confidence that “the people of Serbia stand with me.”
Due to police restrictions, Hrka was unable to reach the Parliament steps as she had intended. She plans to set up a tent and sleeping bag near the fence separating the street from a tent settlement of government supporters, where she was temporarily held by the police.
Wearing a shirt reading “Mom Against the Machinery”, Hrka was joined by a larger group of citizens and protected by military veterans. Police and gendarmerie vehicles were stationed nearby, and parts of Takovska Street and Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra were temporarily closed to traffic.
The hunger strike began following a 16-minute moment of silence in honor of the victims. Citizens at Nikola Pašić Square also paid tribute in silence but were prevented by police from approaching the Parliament building.
Hrka framed her protest as a direct critique of the Vučić regime, which she accused of hiding the truth about her son’s death and that of the other victims for over a year. She reiterated her calls for early elections and the release of students unlawfully detained during anti-government protests.
She urged the public, media, and all citizens who believe in truth and justice to support her fight, which she first announced at a commemorative event in Novi Sad marking the anniversary of the railway station tragedy.
