On March 15, 2025, Serbia witnessed the largest protest in its history, with estimates of around 300,000 demonstrators filling the streets of downtown Belgrade. This historic gathering was not only significant by its sheer size but also marked by the heart-wrenching memory of the 15 victims of the Novi Sad tragedy. On the same day, protestors observed 15 minutes of silence to honor the victims of the disastrous train station roof collapse last November, which had claimed 15 lives due to government negligence and corruption.
Participants, predominantly led by courageous university students, gathered peacefully to demand accountability from President Aleksandar Vučić and his government. What began as a solemn tribute soon turned chaotic, igniting accusations against the authorities for allegedly deploying unlawful crowd-control tactics involving sonic weapons, widely referenced as sound cannons. Eyewitness accounts describe horrific experiences, like sudden panic episodes among the crowd, drawing parallels to images of mass panic.
The protest’s atmosphere turned tense when, during the observed moments of silence, many heard what they described as sounding akin to fast-moving planes or roaring trains. This sent individuals scrambling frantically for safety, leaving King Milan Street almost deserted, according to reports. Various social media posts and reports corroborated these alarming accounts, with many people experiencing nausea, dizziness, and extreme fear during and after the chaos.
“You fired a cannon at our love and empathy,” stated the students’ official X account, decrying the violent measures they allege were employed against them. “With each of your evil deeds, you are strengthening the front against yourself; who are you?” This fervent expression of outrage encapsulated the additional emotional turmoil inflicted by the government's tactics on top of their existing grievances.
On March 16, 2025, the day following the tumultuous protest, media outlets such as N1 and Vreme reported multiple hospital confirmations of individuals presenting symptoms potentially linked to exposure to the alleged acoustic device. Meanwhile, military analysts asserted the existence of the sound cannon within Serbia’s security apparatus, previously acquired by policing forces for crowd control during potential unrest.
Opposition politician Miroslav Aleksić stepped forward with assertions declaring the activation of this device around 19:10 on protest day, claiming it was used to intentionally instigate disorder among peaceful protesters. Following this incident, calls for investigations intensified, with Igor Bandović from the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy condemning what he labeled the “unlawful and inhumane deployment of prohibited weapons, such as acoustic devices, against peaceful protesters.”
Bandović revealed on social media the politically charged narrative crafted by authorities to paint demonstrators as instigators of violence. He condemned the apparent orchestration of chaos by pro-government actors on the ground aimed at delegitimizing the protests. Many observers emphasized how this manipulation strategy might threaten democratic movement integrity.
President Vučić addressed the public thrice on March 17, firmly denying the existence of any governmental engagement with sonic weaponry against the protesters. Rather labeling the claims as “the biggest lie,” he accused the protestors of attempting to fabricate narratives of violence among their ranks for political mileage, referencing historical precedents from abroad. He urged the judiciary to look not only for those responsible for alleged sonic weapon usage but also for those disseminators of what he termed “notorious lies.”
Despite vehement refusals from government officials, no plausible alternative explanations surfaced for the chaos experienced during the demonstration. Apart from the president's statement, the Ministry of the Interior and other security agencies stood firm, encouraging inquiry against those raising alarms about sonic weapon use on protesters policing engagements.
Public dissension has intensified, with over 500,000 signatures gathered on petitions demanding independent investigations, even calling upon the United Nations to lead inquiries. The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office has also taken steps by launching investigations related to the protest after occurrences of panic surfaced.
The climate of outrage gestures toward significant political ramifications, particularly for President Vučić, who has recently faced substantial backlash due to his government’s continued slip-ups leading to public tragedies and persistent allegations of corruption. Most recently, following the protests, officials from the University of Belgrade joined civic voices urging full transparency around the alleged sonic attacks.
While the tumultuous scenes on March 15 marked what many hope would be transformative change, the investigation's breadth and public sentiment will underpin the actions taken following such pivotal events for Serbia’s political future. Movement leaders declared their commitment to continuation, stating, “The smarter side doesn’t back down; the smarter side organizes,” signaling the promise of future protests against governmental indifference.
This monumental protest undoubtedly signifies not merely dissatisfaction but fervent activism aiming to dismantle systemic apathy and advocate for accountability across Serbia. It serves as both catharsis and harbinger of hopeful change amid unwavering resistance against previous administrations' malpractices.
