Did Serbia just test a secret sonic weapon on its own people?
BELGRADE, Serbia — A piercing noise ripped through Serbia’s largest protest on Saturday, sending thousands scrambling in fear.
Human rights groups accuse security forces of deploying a banned sonic weapon to break up the crowd, which the government denies. Officials insist no illegal devices were used, but the incident has sparked demands for an investigation.
Chaos During Moment of Silence
The “15 for 15” rally, named for both the protest date and the 15 victims of November’s train station collapse in Novi Sad, drew tens of thousands to downtown Belgrade.
The demonstration, one of the largest against President Aleksandar Vučić’s government, was fueled by accusations of corruption and negligence tied to the disaster.
As the crowd stood in silence to honor the victims, a sharp, high-pitched noise suddenly shattered the stillness.
Protesters flinched, covered their ears, and scattered in confusion. Witnesses described it as a “whooshing” or “shrill, piercing” sound that sent waves of panic through the gathering.
Authorities estimated the crowd at 107,000, though independent media reported much higher numbers, calling it the largest demonstration in Serbia’s history. Officials confirmed 22 arrests and 56 minor injuries, but organizers claim the true figures could be higher.
Controversial LRAD Technology
Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) are promoted as “non-lethal” crowd control tools, capable of blasting sound waves at up to 150 decibels—loud enough to cause nausea, dizziness, and loss of balance.
Prolonged exposure can result in permanent hearing damage or, in extreme cases, death.
Serbian authorities have not publicly confirmed possessing LRADs, but reports suggest the government quietly acquired them from a Novi Sad-based company without a public tender.
Globally, LRADs have been at the center of controversy.
U.S. police deployed them during the 2020 George Floyd protests, triggering lawsuits that ended in an $800,000 settlement and an NYPD ban on their use.
More recently, the Philippine Coast Guard accused China of using the device against a Philippine vessel in the West Philippine Sea, with crew members reporting intense pain and possible hearing damage.
Criminologist Dobrivoje Radovanović warned that Serbia’s lack of oversight raises major ethical concerns. “This device has no legal foundation, making its use unlawful. The real question is who approved its acquisition and whether legal consequences should follow,” he said.
Government Denials and International Pressure
Serbian officials reject accusations that they used a sonic weapon, calling the claims unfounded. The Ministry of Internal Affairs denied the allegations, and President Aleksandar Vučić dismissed the reports as politically motivated.
Belgrade’s emergency hospital also dismissed reports that people sought medical help due to the alleged weapon, urging legal action against those spreading “false information.”
Despite these denials, videos circulating online seem to show the moment the device was used. Opposition media claim Serbian security forces have secretly possessed such weapons for years, even though their use is illegal. Some military analysts have supported these claims.
The incident has drawn international attention.
The European Union Delegation in Serbia urged authorities to protect the right to peaceful protest. In Brussels, members of the European Parliament sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for an urgent response.
The United Nations also called on Vučić’s government to allow protests “without unjustified interference” and to protect activists, journalists, and civil society members.
Opposition groups have taken legal action, filing complaints against unidentified individuals over the alleged use of an LRAD. The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, in collaboration with medical students, has urged protesters to report any injuries.
Meanwhile, demonstrations continue. Protesters demand full transparency on the railway station renovation and accountability for those responsible for the disaster. On Sunday, students staged another protest, briefly blocking a major Belgrade boulevard at 11:52 a.m. to honor the Novi Sad victims.