Serbia Faces Allegations of Sound Weapon Use During Mass Protest

The government denies deploying sound weapons at a demonstration in Belgrade, where videos captured panic during a moment of silence.

Over 100,000 people gathered in Belgrade on March 15, 2025, to protest corruption and demand government accountability following a deadly infrastructure collapse in late 2024.
Videos from the protest show a loud noise disrupting a planned moment of silence, causing panic among the crowd, but the Serbian Interior Ministry denies using sound weapons.
Sound weapons, such as Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD), can produce noises up to 160 decibels, which may cause hearing damage, disorientation, and other health effects.
The alleged use of sound weapons has not been independently verified, and the type of device, if any, remains unclear, fueling ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges by opposition groups and human rights organizations.
Sound weapons have been used in other global contexts, including U.S. protests, Greek border control, and maritime defense, but their deployment remains controversial due to health and ethical concerns.