A protest held in central Belgrade on Saturday night turned chaotic when, according to security analysts, a sonic weapon was likely deployed against the demonstrators. Pročitaj više

During a 15-minute silence commemorating the 15 victims of a collapsed canopy in Novi Sad, a sudden and piercing noise was heard across the packed streets of Belgrade. The sound caused panic among the protesters, leading to people frantically running in different directions, which resulted in instances of trampling and injuries.

Videos circulating on social media captured the exact moment when the unknown device was allegedly activated. Protesters described the experience as deeply unsettling, with some comparing the sound to „an overwhelming threat rapidly approaching.“ Others reported feeling as if „something was about to reach them within seconds.“

Military analyst Aleksandar Radic told N1 that the noise was most likely caused by the deployment of a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), commonly known as a sonic weapon. According to Radic, Serbia’s security forces have had access to this US-made non-lethal weapon since 2022, despite the fact that its use is not legally regulated in the country.

“The LRAD is an aggressive acoustic weapon designed to disable targets by using extreme sound frequencies. It is primarily used for incapacitation,” Radic explained.
Vladica Ilic, a legal expert from the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, stated that numerous citizens had contacted his organization and other civil society groups following the incident. Many reported symptoms such as hearing loss, breathing difficulties, and changes in blood pressure.

However, both the Serbian Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense denied any use of a sonic weapon during the protest. In an unusually sharp statement, the Emergency Center at the Clinical Center of Serbia dismissed claims that any individuals had sought medical assistance due to „the alleged use of a so-called sonic weapon.“

Opposition party representatives accused Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic of using a sonic weapon against his own people and announced plans to file criminal charges over the incident.

Largest protest in Belgrade’s modern history

The protest, reportedly the largest in Serbia’s modern history, was organized by student activists. Preliminary estimates from the Public Gathering Archive indicate that between 275,000 and 325,000 people took to the streets of the capital in response to ongoing anti-corruption demonstrations.

The rally was the culmination of months-long protests following the deadly Novi Sad canopy collapse, which claimed 15 lives. However, the event was abruptly interrupted, seemingly due to the coordinated use of a sonic weapon and the outbreak of violent incidents near Pionirski Park.

Following the disturbances, student organizers declared that the protest had officially ended and that they would no longer be responsible for further events unfolding on the streets of Belgrade.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior reported multiple altercations between protesters and police officers in downtown Belgrade. According to authorities, groups of demonstrators clashed with law enforcement officers, allegedly attempting to obstruct them in performing their duties and provoke larger-scale unrest.