Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has denied accusations that his police forces used a military-grade LRAD cannon against anti-government protesters in the capital. Rights groups have expressed concerns that the acoustic weapon, which is banned, was used during the mass rally against corruption in Serbia. Witnesses described hearing a strange noise resembling a jet engine and feeling a powerful rush of wind, causing a stampede among protesters.
During a 15-minute silence observed by protesters, the calm was shattered by the alleged use of a sonic weapon by Serbia’s security forces. Witnesses reported falling to the ground and experiencing pain and injuries as a result of the noise. The U.S.-based nonprofit Physicians for Human Rights has highlighted the potential for acoustic weapons to cause serious and permanent harm, including hearing loss. Vučić has insisted that a LRAD cannon was not used during the protests.
The Belgrade Center for Security Policy has strongly condemned the use of prohibited weapons against peaceful protesters, calling it an unlawful and inhumane act. They believe that the deployment of acoustic devices was done to incite chaos and delegitimize the protests. Vučić has announced that an investigation will be launched into the incident, but has also called for those who publicized the allegations to be prosecuted for spreading what he considers to be a “notorious lie.”
The protests in Serbia began in response to a tragic incident in November where a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station, resulting in 15 deaths. The demonstrations have grown into a larger movement against corruption and the government of President Vučić. Serbia’s relationship with Russia, its key ally in blocking international recognition of Kosovo, has further complicated the situation. Vučić has refused to take sides in the Russia-Ukraine war and has maintained good relations with Moscow.
Despite the denials from President Vučić, witnesses continue to maintain that a sonic weapon was used during the protests. Students from the Belgrade Faculty of Medicine have protested, demanding accurate information about patients admitted with symptoms after the rally. The incident has raised concerns about the use of force against peaceful protesters and the impact it may have on future demonstrations. Critics fear that the use of such weapons could escalate tensions and hinder the democratic rights of citizens to protest peacefully.
