Strasbourg, France (AP) — Serbian university students who say their fight for justice is being overlooked in much of Europe arrived at the hero’s welcome on Tuesday, in the heart of the European Union. They ran over 1,300 kilometers (780 miles) of cycles from the Balkan country.
Around 80 students who set out on their bikes 13 days ago on their trip to Strasbourg, France, were aiming to attract the attention of the EU. Months of protest against corruption In the Balkan country. Serbia is officially sought membership in the 27-nation bloc, but is reversing democratic freedom and the rule of law.
They received emotional welcome from hundreds of people, including members of the Serbian diaspora and French students and supporters.
“I think this protest was a complete success,” one cyclist said on a live N1 TV broadcast from Strasbourg, where people gathered. “I think we’ve brought Europe up.”
Serbian university students were the key forces behind the national anti-graft movement, including almost daily street demonstrations that rattled the Balcan Nation President Aleksandar Vucic. They have gained great support in their homes and throughout the Balkans, but many students feel they are not receiving adequate support from the EU.
Students cycled 100-150 kilometers (60-90 miles) per day through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany before arriving at Strasbourg and welcomed the red carpet from fellow Serbs and EU students living abroad.
They bravely confronted heavy rains and cold temperatures along their journey across Europe.
Student-led protests in Serbia were caused by fatal deaths of 16 people The station canopy will collapse in Novemberhas been widely criticized for rampaging corruption. They have since come to reflect Serbia’s state of democratic freedom and wider dissatisfaction.
Protesting students have been demanding justice for the victims of the November 1st Canopy collapse and termination Government pressure and violence Protestor.
VUCIC and his pro-government media accused the students and their professors of working against the state to overthrow power along with unidentified Western security services. He does not provide evidence of his claim.
The EU’s response to the almost peaceful student-led protest has been slimy and officials refrain from criticizing Vic. They apparently consider him an important factor in maintaining peace in areas that experienced a series of catastrophic wars in the 1990s.
In Strasbourg, students will visit the Council of Europe and the European Parliament.
Vucic has been accused since taking power over 10 years ago Suffocate democratic freedom While maintaining close ties between Russia and China.
In Serbia on Tuesday, student-led protesters temporarily blocked the entrance to Belgrade’s VUCIC’s main propaganda television station RTS, as well as the entrance to Nobi’s north town in protest of coverage of the event.
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