In late March 2025, a significant controversy erupted in Belgrade, Serbia, when a large-scale protest turned chaotic after a sudden, intense sound reportedly drove thousands of demonstrators away. The incident, which took place on March 15, 2025, sparked widespread concern and calls for international scrutiny. A coalition of 14 prominent Serbian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) issued a joint statement urging the United Nations to conduct an independent investigation into the matter. They argued that the lack of transparency and contradictory accounts from Serbian authorities made it imperative for an external body to determine the true nature of the event.
According to the NGOs, during the protest—organized in response to the deaths of 16 individuals in a railway accident in Novi Sad—the crowd unexpectedly scattered in a manner resembling a stampede. Many participants described hearing an unusual sound, likening it to a jet engine or a low, howling noise. These accounts led to speculation that a sonic weapon, often referred to as a "sound cannon," had been deployed by the authorities to disperse the gathering. While Serbian police initially denied using such a device, they later admitted to possessing acoustic equipment, though they maintained that it had not been employed during the protest.
The situation escalated further when the Higher Prosecution in Belgrade launched an internal investigation into the incident. This probe included raiding the home of military analyst Aleksandar Radic, who had publicly spoken about the possibility of a sonic weapon being used. The prosecution also targeted individuals involved in organizing the protest, including students who had previously discussed the potential use of such technology in a risk assessment. The investigation accused these groups of attempting to incite public panic and destabilize the country, suggesting collusion between protesters, NGOs, and media outlets to fabricate the story of a sonic weapon's deployment.
Meanwhile, the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vučić, responded to the controversy by asserting that both the FBI and the Russian FSB had concluded that no sonic weapon had been used. He reiterated his stance that the allegations were baseless and claimed that the use of such technology would have rendered him unfit to serve as president. Despite repeated requests from local media, the FBI declined to comment on the matter, citing procedural constraints. Similarly, the FSB had previously released a report dismissing the claims, but the findings were not widely disseminated.
The confusion surrounding the incident deepened as the Higher Prosecution expanded its inquiry to include social media posts alleging that numerous individuals had sought medical attention following the protest, claiming symptoms potentially linked to exposure to a sonic weapon. The Belgrade Emergency Centre denied receiving such cases, yet the prosecution proceeded with its investigation, accusing those spreading these claims of seeking to provoke unrest and undermine national stability.
As tensions mounted, the call for an independent international investigation gained momentum. The NGOs emphasized that the domestic legal system had become politicized, failing to deliver a transparent and objective account of the events. They stressed the need for an impartial fact-finding mission to examine all available evidence, including witness testimonies and recorded footage, to determine whether a sonic weapon had indeed been used and, if so, under what circumstances.
Looking ahead, the situation remains unresolved, with the Serbian government maintaining its position that the incident was a misunderstanding or a false narrative. Meanwhile, the NGOs continue to push for greater transparency and accountability, advocating for the involvement of the United Nations to ensure that the rights of the public are protected and that the use of any controversial crowd control methods is thoroughly investigated. As the debate over the incident continues, the broader implications for civil liberties and the role of international oversight in democratic societies remain a subject of intense discussion.
4 reports
N1 SrbijaIndependentCenter10 days agoA coalition of Serbian non-governmental organizations has requested a United Nations investigation into alleged use of a sonic weapon during a protest in Belgrade on March 15, 2025. The NGOs argue that the incident requires an independent international probe due to conflicting accounts from Serbian authorities and a lack of transparency. Protesters reportedly fled after encountering a mysterious sound wave, though Serbian officials denied using such a device, despite confirming that police possess sonic equipment. Both the FBI and Russian FSB were involved in the investigation, with the FSB stating there was no evidence supporting the claims and the FBI declining to comment. The NGOs expressed concern over potential misuse of crowd-control technologies and urged the UN Human Rights Council to conduct a fact-finding mission.
Bias read (Center): The article presents multiple perspectives without overtly favoring any side. It includes statements from NGOs calling for an investigation, Serbian authorities denying the use of a sonic weapon, and responses from the FBI and FSB. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the call for an independent
Balkan Insight (BIRN)IndependentLeft10 days agoA coalition of 14 Serbian NGOs has called for a United Nations investigation into claims of a mysterious sonic event during an anti-government protest in Belgrade on March 15, 2025. The NGOs argue that local judicial institutions have become politically biased and cannot provide an impartial assessment of the incident, which involved a sudden dispersal of thousands of demonstrators who reported hearing unusual noises resembling a jet plane or a low hum. Serbian authorities initially denied using any sonic weapons but later acknowledged possessing acoustic devices, though they maintain they did not deploy them during the protest. Meanwhile, the Higher Prosecution in Belgrade has launched an investigation into alleged collusion between protesters, NGOs, experts, and media to spread misinformation about the use of a 'sound cannon' to discredit the government. This follows the discovery of meeting notes from student organizers of the protests discussing the possibility of such a device being used and planning to avoid staging the demonstration if that were the case.
Bias read (Left): The article presents the NGOs' perspective that the domestic judiciary is compromised by political influence and highlights their push for international oversight. It emphasizes the concerns raised by protesters and experts regarding the use of potentially harmful technology by authorities, while it
N1 SrbijaIndependentCenter11 days ago FBI for N1 on the alleged investigation of the "sound cannon" caseThe article discusses Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's claims that the FBI and Russia's FSB were invited to investigate whether a 'sound cannon' was used during a large student protest in Belgrade on March 15 of last year. Vučić stated that both agencies confirmed no such device was used. However, the FBI has declined to comment on these allegations, and no response from the FBI has been publicly released. The Russian FSB issued a report in April of last year, but its findings remain unclear. Vučić has reiterated his call for international security agencies to re-examine the incident. Additionally, Vučić previously claimed that experts from NASA had confirmed there was no use of a sound cannon, though NASA has stated it has no relevant information.
Bias read (Center): The article presents multiple perspectives and does not exhibit clear bias toward any side. It includes statements from President Vučić, mentions the FBI's refusal to comment, references the FSB report, and notes NASA's lack of involvement. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the sequence of事件和
RepublikaParty-alignedRight12 days agoSerbian President Aleksandar Vučić reiterated his claim that no sound cannon was fired during the March 15 protests last year, stating that if such an event had occurred, he would no longer be president. He mentioned that both the FBI and Russia’s FSB have confirmed there was no use of a sound cannon at the time. Vučić responded to journalists’ questions during a visit to a new traffic control center in Belgrade, addressing claims that Serbian police tested the device on members of the gendarmerie and that it was tested two weeks after the protests. He emphasized that official reports were made public and thanked FSB head Vladimir Bortnikov for cooperating to verify the truth. Vučić also defended the testing of military equipment, noting that Serbia has tested advanced weapons like the C-400 missile system but this does not imply any attacks on Kosovo or Zagreb.
Bias read (Right): The article presents the statements of a high-ranking political figure who strongly asserts a position with references to foreign intelligence agencies, frames the issue as a matter of national security and leadership legitimacy, and dismisses opposition claims as motivated by personal ambition. The
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