On March 15, 2025, the Serbian capital of Belgrade was the site of one of the largest protests the country has seen in recent months. Approximately 300,000 demonstrators gathered to voice their dissent against the government of President Aleksandar Vučić, particularly following the tragic collapse of the railway station roof in Novi Sad last November, which resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals. What was supposed to be a poignant day of remembrance quickly escalated due to unsettling events.
During the protest, as participants held a moment of silence for the victims of the Novi Sad disaster, eyewitnesses reported the sudden deployment of what is alleged to be a sonic weapon by Serbian authorities. This mysterious incident caused panic among the crowd, leading many to flee for safety. Videos circulating on social media depict the deeply unsettling scene of protesters scattering abruptly, highlighting the confusion and chaos instigated by the unknown weapon.
Following the distressing events of Saturday, the Serbian Interior Ministry, along with the army and President Vučić, have firmly denied claims stating the use of any sonic weapon to disperse the crowd. Despite these denials, the accounts of eyewitnesses tell a different story, with many expressing feelings of intense fear and shock. Reports detail a strong sonic impulse occurring around 7:11 PM, followed by another at 7:12 PM, described variously by witnesses as resembling the sound of an explosion or the noise of someone experiencing extreme distress.
Serbian student organizations and human rights groups are leading the investigation of the incident, claiming to have collected over 500 eyewitness reports detailing the pandemonium. These accounts suggest participants felt as though they were under attack from some invisible source, causing sensations similar to being crushed by some unknown force. Symptoms reported include rapid heartbeats, trembling, ear pressure, and some even fainted amid the tumult.
While the theoretical existence of weapons like Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD) has been proposed, which can emit directed sound waves to create extreme discomfort or pain, confirming the specifics of Saturday’s incidents has proven difficult. According to experts, the sound produced by these devices can reach volumes exceeding 150 decibels – loud enough to be damaging to human hearing. Eyewitness accounts assert no visible weapon was discerned during the protest, raising questions about the origin and nature of the sound those gathered experienced.
One prominent theory suggests the employment of frequency-modulated microwaves, creating the sensation of sound without any visible auditory source being present. Security expert Ivan Miletić hypothesized during discussions with media outlets, "a high-frequency impulse was fired from the air at 300 to 500 meters." Such theories have led to growing demands for accountability and clarification surrounding the events.
Activists are calling for comprehensive investigations from both national and international bodies, including the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). They have initiated a petition demanding the prohibition of such weapons, which has garnered over 500,000 signatures, driving forward the narrative of public frustration. The student movement has also pressed for transparency and proper verification of any weaponry employed during such protests, emphasizing concerns over their rights and safety amid increasing governmental suppression.
The protests, which have flowed through Serbia for four months, originate from the tragic events surrounding the railway accident, but have evolved to voice concerns broadly against corruption and abuse of power within Vučić’s administration. This latest incident has breathed new life and urgency to their cause, intertwining grief for the lost lives with demands for investigative integrity and justice for all those affected during this chaotic outpouring of dissent.
While the government’s narrative suggests no such weapon was present, the outcries for independent investigations and acknowledgment of the witnessed terror continue to resonate. It remains to be seen how this scenario might affect the dynamics of the protests and the public's perception of their leaders moving forward. The unresolved nature of these incidents positions Serbia at a significant sociopolitical crossroads, awakening powerful calls for justice, safety, and democratic accountability.
