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Serbian Government Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Sonic Weapon Use at Protest

Officials deny deploying banned acoustic devices as protests against corruption and governance intensify following a deadly train station collapse.

This aerial photograph shows protesters holding up their mobile phones to light up the night sky in memory of those who died in the Novi Sad roof disaster, as they take part in one of the largest anti-corruption demonstrations, in Belgrade on March 15, 2025.
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Overview

  • Protesters claim a sonic weapon caused panic during a 15-minute silence at a massive anti-government rally in Belgrade on March 15.
  • Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and the Ministry of Internal Affairs deny the allegations, calling them 'vile lies,' and have announced an investigation involving international agencies.
  • Footage from the protest shows a sudden noise triggering panic and a stampede, with some protesters reporting symptoms like nausea, headaches, and disorientation.
  • Human rights groups and opposition leaders are demanding an independent international inquiry into the alleged use of the prohibited device.
  • The protests, the largest in Serbia's history, stem from public outrage over corruption and negligence, symbolized by a train station roof collapse in Novi Sad that killed 15 people.