BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Calls for independent investigations are growing louder demands after allegations emerged claiming security forces used prohibited sonic weapons against peaceful protesters at the massive anti-corruption rally held on March 15, 2025. The protest, attended by hundreds of thousands, centered on public dissatisfaction directed at the Serbian government following the tragic deaths of fifteen individuals from the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy last November.
On March 17, Serbian rights groups and opposition officials submitted reports alleging the use of sonic devices to emit high-intensity sound waves during the highly charged event. Despite the assertions and the claims of protestors experiencing adverse effects—including symptoms like disorientation, nausea, and panic—President Aleksandar Vucic firmly denied the allegations, calling them wicked lies aimed at destroying Serbia.
Vucic announced plans to invite the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and Russia’s Federal Security Service for investigations, as he expressed disdain for those who alleged sonic weapon deployment, stating, It is important for history to see how they lied. The president faced skepticism, as Serbian security experts claimed the crowd control device utilized was the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), known for its capacity to cause significant auditory distress at distances, though these claims remain unverified.
The opposition Move-Change movement has launched an online petition, accumulating over half a million signatures, requesting the United Nations, Council of Europe, and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to pursue independent investigation of the alleged sonic weapon use during the rally. Along with these calls, former President Boris Tadic emphasized the widespread demand for accountability, mentioning he would ask for international assistance to investigate the grave violations of public safety witnessed last Saturday.
This massive demonstration took place against the backdrop of rising frustration over government corruption and lax construction oversight, epitomized by the horrific railway station collapse, which has since sparked continual protests across Serbia. Political analysts note this pivotal moment may shift the political discourse significantly, emphasizing the culmination of public discontent.
Maja Kovacevic, dean of the Faculty of Political Science of Belgrade, stated, The massive turnout confirms dissatisfaction is immense and no going back to the old ways. Experts suggest this rally might mark the beginning of the end for Vucic’s regime, with political analyst Srdjan Cvijic asserting, Saturday's protest marked the beginning of the end for the regime and is a major victory for the student movement and citizens.
Despite the government’s constant declarations of support and the attempt to undermine the influence of the protestors—including accusations implying the group was orchestrated by foreign intelligence—the crowds stood resolute. Significant fears of violence were quelled as the protest unfolded without clashes, showing unity against governmental disparity.
Following the turbulent rally, opposition leaders and students are contemplating their next steps, determined not to relent. Vucic, on the defensive, writes about not yielding to Maidan pressures, referencing Ukraine's 2014 protests which led to governmental upheaval. This statement has incited skepticism from protestors who argue the government is engaged more with disinformation than truth.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, there is also the continuation of separate corruption investigations tied to the railway station renovation project, with multiple indictments filing against key figures including Goran Vesic, the former construction minister. The ripple effects of these events may yet lead to increased scrutiny of the government's actions, as public outcry continues driving the narrative.
Dr. Helena Ivanov, another prominent political analyst, stated, A lot of people are claiming they have experienced symptoms associated with sonic weapons usage, and some experts are also agreeing with this assessment. The government claims these are vile lies, yet the protests reveal deteriorated public trust.
For the student-led protests, the message is clear—they aim to persist and demand reform. Their resilience and organization seem poised to challenge the Serbian regime effectively. The power struggles within Serbian politics will amplify as citizens continue to mobilize, leading to possible future ramifications for governance.
A wave of public support reinforces these demonstrations, expected to persist as Serbian citizens call for transparency and accountability from their leaders. One protestor invoked the sentiment widely shared by attendees of the March protest, stating, the smarter side doesn’t back down, the smarter side organizes.
