Serbians were greeted by what appears to be government-sponsored banners giving protesters a bloody middle finger.
Thousands of protesters have been gathering daily to protest the government since November when a concrete canopy collapsed and killed 15 people.
A bloodstained hand giving the middle finger was printed on multiple banners across Belgrade, with text reading ‘The Serbian people’s response to colour revolution attempt’. The image has been widely shared on social media.
Daily demonstrations have been held to demand accountability over the November 1 incident at a railway station building in the northern city of Novi Sad, where 15 died after tons of concrete crashed without warning.
Many believe the huge canopy collapsed because of sloppy reconstruction work that resulted from corruption. The Novi Sad railway station building was renovated twice in recent years in a deal with Chinese state companies.
The protests have posed a challenge for populist President Aleksandar Vucic – but the banners appear to send a message from the government to the protesters.
Protesters had been using the phrase ‘your hands are bloody’ to slam authorities they believed to be responsible for the tragedy.
Members of the ruling political party, headed by Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and founded by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, have shared similar messages on their social media to protesters.
Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Mila Popović said in a statement: ‘They sent a message to students, educators, professors, and all citizens seeking truth, justice, and accountability: there is no dialogue, only contempt and arrogance.
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‘It is the essence of their politics: repression, fear, and the ruthless trampling of citizens to maintain power.
‘Fascism in its most naked form -violence as a political tool and contempt for anyone daring to demand accountability.’
Serbia’s prosecutors have filed charges against 13 people over the train station canopy collapse, including a government minister and several state officials.
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