During a large anti-government rally in Belgrade, Serbia, on March 15, 2025, protesters experienced a sudden and alarming sound that caused panic among the crowd. Witnesses described the noise as a “whiz” or “swooshing” sound, leading to confusion, ear pain, and nausea. These symptoms have raised suspicions that Serbian authorities may have employed an illegal sonic weapon to disperse the demonstrators.

Human rights groups and opposition leaders have intensified calls for an independent investigation into the incident. They are urging the involvement of international agencies to ensure a thorough and impartial inquiry. President Aleksandar Vučić has denied the allegations, asserting that while the government possesses such devices, they were not deployed against the protesters.

The Serbian Interior Ministry has stated that there is no evidence supporting the use of a sonic cannon during the protest. They referenced confirmation from the U.S. manufacturer Genasys, which supplied the LRAD450XL devices, indicating that these are designed for amplifying sound to communicate with large groups and do not function as sonic weapons.

This event has occurred amid ongoing anti-corruption protests in Serbia, following a tragic canopy collapse at Novi Sad’s train station in November 2024, which resulted in multiple fatalities. The incident has heightened scrutiny of government actions and intensified public demands for transparency and accountability.

As tensions escalate, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, with human rights organizations advocating for a comprehensive investigation to address the concerns raised by the protesters and ensure adherence to lawful crowd control measures.