Proaktiv Supports Colleagues Targeted by „Starting“ Lawsuit Over Railway Station Tragedy

Proaktiv of the University of Kosovska Mitrovica has voiced strong support for a group of colleagues and public figures facing lawsuits filed by the company Starting, which claims that its business reputation and creditworthiness have been damaged. Starting was engaged in the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station, and Proaktiv has described the company’s lawsuits as a „clear attempt to intimidate and silence honorable and courageous individuals fighting to uncover all the facts.“

The association, composed of professors and associates from the University of Pristina with temporary headquarters in North Mitrovica, has rallied behind attorney Ivan Ninić, Professor Dr. Dejan Mirović, civil engineer Danijel Dašić, geological engineer Zoran Bajić, architect Slobodan Maldini, architect and MP Đorđe Stanković, and KRIK journalist Sofija Bogosavljev.

Proaktiv sharply condemned the lawsuits, emphasizing that they are not about legal redress but rather an effort to suppress public scrutiny regarding the controversial reconstruction project at Novi Sad’s main railway station, where Starting was a key participant.

„We believe this lawsuit aims to restrict freedom of speech and to instill fear among the public, rather than achieve any legitimate legal goal,“ Proaktiv stated. „Such actions divert attention from issues that have shaken the public for more than six months and are unacceptable in a democratic society governed by the rule of law.“

 

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Proaktiv also referenced the ongoing student protests, highlighting that the students’ primary demand—to hold those responsible for the Novi Sad tragedy accountable—remains unmet.

„We fully agree with the students who emphasized that determining responsibility for the tragedy must take precedence over the persecution of esteemed individuals raising serious and well-founded questions,“ the statement read.

Solidarity has been expressed by several academic bodies, including the Rebel University of Belgrade, the Free University of Novi Sad, Free University of Niš, Free University of Kragujevac, Free State University of Novi Pazar, and the University of Arts Forum in Belgrade.

Students from law faculties across Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Niš, and Belgrade, in reaction to the lawsuits, emphasized:

„These brave individuals have, from the beginning, fought to uncover the full truth about the collapse of the railway station canopy, demanding accountability, while the Prosecution Office led by Zagorka Dolovac has acted shamefully and contrary to all ethical and legal principles.“

 

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„Starting“ or Vučić?

The lawsuits by Starting first came to public attention earlier this month through attorney Ivan Ninić, who initially disclosed that he was being sued, later revealing that six other individuals were also targeted for allegedly „damaging the company’s business reputation and creditworthiness.“

According to Nova.rs, one of the accused, geological engineer Zoran Bajić, previously worked as a consultant on the station’s reconstruction project. He reportedly raised concerns about Starting’s alleged disregard for the supervision team’s directives.

Professor Dejan Mirović commented to Srbin.info that his „sin“ was asking how a company responsible for around 70% of the work on the fatal canopy — whose collapse killed 16 people — was not named in the indictment.

Mirović pointed out that he only raised „logical and legally grounded questions“ based on what he described as a deficient indictment. He questioned whether the company’s owner—officially a hair salon owner—wields disproportionate influence, and whether powerful political figures, including the Vučić brothers, are shielding Starting.

He sees the lawsuits as evidence that his questions struck at the heart of a scandal that has mobilized hundreds of thousands of citizens and students across Serbia.

Nova.rs recently reported that Starting specializes in residential and commercial construction and served as a major subcontractor in the Novi Sad railway station project.

The outlet also noted that Starting’s ownership—Ljiljana Tripković (70%) and Nikola Trivić—remains relatively unknown to the general public. Importantly, no Starting executives have been indicted by the Higher Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Sad in connection to the canopy collapse that claimed 16 lives.