Serbian authorities investigate alleged sound‑cannon at March 15 protest

Serbia’s Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office opened a pre‑investigation after the death of a student during a protest on 15 March 2025, seizing documents that mention a planned simulation of a “sound cannon”. Deputy chief prosecutor Miodrag Marković said the event was “carefully prepared” and not a spontaneous street performance, citing signals for police to remove vests and disperse. He added that the documentation showed detailed discussion of the acoustic weapon, which could trigger a response from Brussels.

Justice Minister Nenad Vujić stated the case is not politically motivated but based on evidence, and that no proof of actual sound‑cannon use has been found. Opposition parties reacted sharply: the Serbia Centre (SRCE) described the situation as a “Stalinist purge” of dissent, while the Democratic Party warned of a campaign to criminalise students. Assembly President Ana Brnabić called the “sound‑cannon affair” fabricated, claiming it was designed to pressure the government and the EU. All officials emphasised that anyone involved will be prosecuted.