[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [POLITICS]

3 clusters · 27 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Investigation into alleged sonic weapon use in Belgrade

Overview

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade released an analysis regarding allegations that a sound cannon, such as an LRAD, was used during a student protest on March 15, 2025. Investigators concluded that no acoustic device was utilized and that the panic in Kralja Milana Street was a chain reaction caused by security personnel activating a ‘withdrawal protocol’.

Technical analysis using ‘Sonic Visualiser’ software suggested that video evidence circulating on social media had been manipulated. Experts determined that a characteristic ‘thud’ sound was digitally added and that existing sounds of whistles and commotion were amplified up to 50 times to create the illusion of a sonic weapon.

President Aleksandar Vučić characterized the claims as the “most terrible lie in the last decade” and an “ordinary lie” designed to destabilize the state. He stated that the misinformation nearly triggered a civil war.

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Miodrag Marković confirmed that the investigation included an analysis of approximately 70 video recordings from social media, news outlets, and city cameras. Prosecutors noted that the Republic Seismological Institute detected no unusual acoustic anomalies during the incident. Marković stated that the office has compiled a 36-page analysis to protect the constitutional order and pledged that “all perpetrators of these criminal acts will be prosecuted and no one will get away with it.”

However, the findings have met resistance. A group of judges and prosecutors known as “Defense of the Profession” criticized the report, arguing it lacks independent forensic evidence and violates the presumption of innocence. Additionally, civil society organizations, including Građanske Inicijative, stated the conclusion does not constitute a legally established truth and that the investigation remains inconclusive regarding the cause of the mass panic.

Entities

Serbia · Aleksandar Vučić · Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade · National Assembly of Serbia · Slavija Square

Timeline

  1. 9 days ago

    [POLITICS] 6 sources
    Belgrade prosecutors deny use of sonic weapon in March 15 incident

    Belgrade prosecutors claim no sonic weapon was used on March 15, asserting that audio of such devices was digitally manipulated. Officials have promised criminal prosecution for those responsible for the hoax.

  2. 11 days ago

    [POLITICS] 8 sources
    Serbia: President Vučić addresses “sound cannon” controversy

    President Aleksandar Vučić and Serbian prosecutors claim reports of a “sound cannon” used during Belgrade protests were fabricated, while legal experts and NGOs challenge the investigation's validity.

  3. 12 days ago

    [POLITICS] 20 sources
    Belgrade Prosecutor: No sound cannon used during March 2025 protest

    Belgrade prosecutors concluded that no sound cannon was used during the March 15, 2025, protest. Panic was instead caused by a security withdrawal protocol, and video evidence was found to be digitally altered.

Sources

6yka.com · bl-portal.com · borba.me · dan.co.me · danas.rs · espreso.co.rs · etv.me · forumrodzicarodzin.pl · kurir.rs · lat.sputnikportal.rs · n1info.rs · nedeljnik.rs · nezavisen.mk · nova.rs · politika.rs · prijedor24h.net · rtvbap.rs · sd.rs · serbiantimes.info · sjevercg.me · snews.rs · sputnikportal.rs · verige.net · vijesti.me · visualcrossing.com · vojvodjanskireporter.rs · vreme.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history