Sonic Weapon Allegations Stir Controversy After Serbian Protests

A cloud of controversy surrounds recent anti-government protests in Belgrade, Serbia, following allegations that authorities deployed a sonic weapon to disperse demonstrators. The claims have sparked international concern and demands for an independent investigation, with the Serbian government vehemently denying the use of such a device.

The protests, which took place on March 15, 2025, drew an estimated 100,000 to 325,000 people, making it one of the largest anti-government rallies in Serbia's history. Organized by students, the demonstration was the latest expression of opposition to President Aleksandar Vucic's government, fueled by concerns about corruption and a lack of transparency. The immediate trigger for the mass mobilization was the collapse of a train station roof in Novi Sad last November, which resulted in 15 fatalities.

Protesters Report Piercing Sound, Panic

While the protest was largely peaceful, videos circulating on social media show demonstrators scattering after a loud, piercing sound. Some protesters speculated that the sound originated from a sonic cannon, also known as a Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD). Witnesses described the experience as deeply unsettling, with some comparing the sound to "an overwhelming threat rapidly approaching." Others reported feeling as if "something was about to reach them within seconds," causing panic, trampling, and injuries as people attempted to flee.

Military analyst Aleksandar Radic told N1 TV that the noise was likely caused by the deployment of an LRAD, a U.S.-made non-lethal weapon that Serbia's security forces have allegedly had access to since 2022. Radic stated that the LRAD is an aggressive acoustic weapon designed to disable targets by using extreme sound frequencies, primarily for incapacitation.

Government Denials and Calls for Investigation

President Vucic has dismissed the allegations as "shameful" and a "vile lie," praising security forces for maintaining order and insisting that the protest was handled peacefully. Serbia's Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated that the police acted within the law and did not use a sound cannon or any other illegal means. The Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) also denied deploying such a device, stating that no effects typically associated with a sonic cannon were observed by agency personnel.

Despite the government's denials, opposition figures, including former Serbian president Boris Tadic, have called for an urgent investigation into the incident, with some requesting international oversight from bodies like the United Nations. The opposition Move-Change movement has launched an online petition, signed by over half a million people, demanding an independent investigation into the alleged use of a sound cannon, including medical, legal, and technical aspects of its impact on health and human rights.

Adding to the complexity, Serbia has invited the FBI and Russia's FSB to investigate the allegations. Meanwhile, Serbian prosecutors and court staff are set to go on strike starting March 18, potentially complicating the investigation process.

What are Sonic Weapons?

Sonic weapons, also known as acoustic weapons, use sound to injure or incapacitate an opponent. They can emit a focused beam of sound or ultrasound, or produce an area field of sound. These devices have been used for crowd control purposes since the early 1990s.

One common type of sonic weapon is the Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), which produces a 30-degree cone of audible sound within the human hearing spectrum (20-20,000 Hz). LRADs can emit a loud and piercing noise, often described as a high-pitched tone or a series of rapidly pulsating sounds, reaching up to 162 decibels. This can cause disorientation, dizziness, and a strong urge to move away from the source.

Other types of sonic weapons include:

• The Mosquito: An ultrasonic device that emits a high-pitched sound painful to younger people (teenagers and those in their twenties) but not to older adults.
• Infrasonic weapons: Devices that deliver very low-frequency sounds that are inaudible but can cause pain and disorientation.

Health Effects and Ethical Concerns

The use of sonic weapons raises serious health and ethical concerns. Extremely high-power sound waves can disrupt or destroy eardrums, causing severe pain and disorientation. Less powerful sound waves can cause nausea or discomfort. Prolonged exposure can lead to permanent hearing damage.

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) states that there have been no proven biological effects associated with unfocused sound beams with intensities below 100 mW/cm² SPTA or focused sound beams below an intensity level of 1 mW/cm² SPTA. However, noise-induced neurologic disturbances in scuba divers exposed to continuous low-frequency tones for durations longer than 15 minutes have, in some cases, led to immediate and long-term problems affecting brain tissue, with symptoms resembling those of minor head injuries.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) notes that LRADs can cause pain at 20 meters and permanent hearing loss at close range (5 meters or less). The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy condemned the "unlawful and inhumane deployment of prohibited weapons, such as acoustic devices, against peaceful protesters," stating that it represents a blatant display of force and an attempt to incite chaos.

History of Sonic Warfare

The use of sound as a weapon dates back to ancient times. The Bible tells the story of the Israelite army using trumpets to topple the walls of Jericho. Albert Speer, Hitler's Chief Architect, researched sonic warfare during World War II, designing an "acoustic cannon" that was never built.

In the early 2000s, the Long-Range Acoustic Device was developed as a "safer alternative to kinetic force." LRADs have been used by militaries, police forces, and even shipping companies for crowd control and defense against pirates.

The Future of Sonic Weapons

As technology advances, sonic weapons are becoming more sophisticated and potentially more dangerous. Some experts warn that future sonic warfare will involve ultrasonic and infrasonic frequencies, which exist at the edges of perception and are difficult to detect.

The lack of research on the health effects of sonic weapons and the potential for serious and permanent injury raise concerns about their use in crowd control and other applications. As these weapons become more widespread, it is crucial to establish clear guidelines and regulations to ensure their safe and ethical deployment.

The allegations surrounding the Serbian protests highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of sonic weapons. An independent investigation is essential to determine whether a sonic weapon was used, and if so, to assess its impact on the protesters and ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.