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EC calls on Serbia again: Investigate allegations of use of sound cannon in anti-government protest

2026-01-17 15:34:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

EC calls on Serbia again: Investigate allegations of use of sound cannon in

The European Commission has reiterated its request to the Serbian authorities to investigate whether a sound cannon was used during the anti-government protest in Belgrade on March 15, 2025.

"As already stated, we expect a swift, transparent and credible investigation into the allegations of the use of sonic weapons against demonstrators," the European Commission's press service said in a statement.

The new call from institutions in Brussels regarding the possible use of sound cannons, which authorities in Belgrade deny, came after European media once again brought up the issue.

The Politico portal published on January 15 that Serbian secret services, in cooperation with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), have tested sonic cannons on dogs, as part of an investigation into demonstrators' claims that sonic weapons were used during the March 15 protest.

European Commission officials confirmed they are aware of the "concerning reports".

"Relations with Russia cannot develop as usual, especially when it comes to security," the European Commission press service said, recalling that, according to European human rights standards, authorities have an obligation to protect participants in rallies from injury and violence.

Radio Free Europe wrote in April 2025 about the FSB report, which was then presented by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vu?i?.

Vu?i? said that the investigation by the Russian service, which "used dogs" for the experiment, had concluded that the banned "sonic cannon" weapon was not used during the protest in Belgrade.

In the report that was published at the time on the website of the Serbian Security and Information Agency (BIA), it is stated that the voice equipment owned by Serbian police bodies was tested on dogs at the BIA training ground.

The report notes that during the tests, "the biological objects did not show any concern," and that three days after the testing, no changes in their condition were observed.

"Based on the results obtained, it can be categorically concluded that sound devices were not used during the March 15 protest ," the Serbian president declared, presenting the report, which the Russian service did not publicly comment on.

Serbian authorities, following the testimonies of demonstrators and allegations that a banned sound weapon was used during the March 15 protest in Belgrade, requested that Russian investigators conduct an "independent investigation."

In addition to the Russian FSB, Serbian authorities also invited the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for an independent investigation. However, there is no information on how the FBI responded to the Serbian authorities.

The students on the blockade, who have been leading mass protests in Serbia since the death of 16 people in Novi Sad, demanding accountability from the authorities for the tragedy, have included an investigation into the incident at the March 15 demonstrations in their list of official demands.

To this day, however, there is no official information about what caused the fear and panic of thousands of demonstrators who, while honoring the victims of the accident in Novi Sad, suddenly dispersed from the street — in the face of, as he describes it, loud and unusual sounds and vibrations.

There was also widespread evidence of health problems in the days following the protest — such as dizziness, fainting, nausea, high blood pressure, and hearing problems.

Authorities initially denied possessing sonic cannons, but later admitted that police do have sonic devices, claiming they have "never been used."

The European Union immediately demanded an investigation into the demonstrators' claims. The European Court of Human Rights, a judicial institution of the Council of Europe, is also investigating the incident.

The "sonic cannon" is part of a group of non-lethal weapons that can be used for police and military purposes - for riot control, repelling attacks or long-distance communication. /REL