On March 15, 2025, Belgrade became the epicenter of one of the largest anti-government protests in Serbia’s recent history.
The Serbian Protests in Belgrade was sparked by public outrage over the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 15 people and injured dozens more. Protesters, including students and citizens from across the country, gathered to demand accountability from the government, accusing it of corruption and negligence. Amid the peaceful rally, a controversial claim emerged: that the Serbian authorities deployed a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), often dubbed a “sonic cannon,” to disrupt the crowd. This allegation has ignited a debate about the use of such technology, its capabilities, and its implications, both in Serbia and globally.
The incident in question occurred during a 15-minute silence held to honor the Novi Sad victims. According to eyewitnesses, a sudden, deafening noise—described variously as resembling a jet engine, a plane landing, or a truck accelerating—pierced the air, causing confusion and panic among the protesters. Many reported feeling disoriented, with some fleeing the scene in fear.
These accounts align with the known effects of LRAD technology, which can emit sound at intensities of 135 to 160 decibels (dB) at close range, far exceeding the human pain threshold of 120 dB. Protesters and independent media outlets, such as N1, quickly pointed to LRAD as the source, supported by videos circulating on social media showing crowds scattering after the sound erupted. Military analysts interviewed by local press noted that the noise profile matched that of an acoustic weapon, fueling speculation that the government had resorted to this non-lethal but controversial tool.
The Serbian government, however, has firmly denied these claims. The Ministry of Interior issued a statement asserting that no LRAD was used, emphasizing that deploying such a device against civilians would violate Serbian law. President Aleksandar Vučić echoed this denial, insisting that the police response was restrained and that the protests were largely peaceful, with only minor incidents reported.
Official sources have not provided an alternative explanation for the noise, leaving room for skepticism. The lack of concrete forensic evidence—such as audio recordings analyzed by experts or physical proof of an LRAD unit at the scene—means the truth remains elusive as of March 16, 2025. This ambiguity has only deepened public mistrust, with many viewing the government’s denial as an attempt to deflect criticism amid growing unrest.
To understand the plausibility of these allegations, it’s worth exploring what LRAD technology entails. Developed in the early 2000s by the American Technology Corporation (now Genasys Inc.), LRAD was initially designed for military use following the 2000 USS Cole bombing, where clear long-range communication could have prevented disaster. It entered the spotlight in 2005 when it repelled pirates attacking a cruise liner off Somalia, proving its effectiveness as a non-lethal deterrent.
Today, LRAD systems are used in over 100 countries and 550 U.S. cities, serving purposes from maritime security to crowd control. The technology works by projecting a narrow beam of sound—typically 15 to 30 degrees wide—using piezoelectric transducers and waveguides. This allows it to target specific areas without affecting bystanders outside the beam, unlike traditional loudspeakers.
LRAD has two primary modes: voice amplification and alert tone. In voice mode, it can broadcast clear messages over distances up to 5,500 meters, cutting through ambient noise like wind or crowds. In alert mode, it emits a high-pitched tone, often around 2,000–4,000 Hz, designed to cause discomfort and compel people to disperse. The sound can reach levels that risk temporary or permanent hearing damage, especially at close range, with models like the LRAD 1000Xi hitting 151 dB. Its portability—some units weigh as little as 15 kilograms—makes it feasible for police use, though larger systems integrate cameras and remote operation for broader applications. In Belgrade, protesters’ descriptions of a sudden, overwhelming noise suggest the alert tone, if LRAD was indeed deployed.
Globally, LRAD’s use in crowd control has sparked controversy. It was first used against U.S. protesters at the 2009 G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, and later in 2014 during New York protests over Eric Garner’s death. In India, farmers faced it in 2024, and now Serbia joins the list of alleged deployments. Critics argue that its intensity crosses into weapon territory, citing health risks like hearing loss, migraines, and vertigo.
Lawsuits, such as one against the NYPD in 2017, have documented these effects, prompting calls for stricter guidelines. Genasys defends LRAD as a safe de-escalation tool when used properly, but the Acoustical Society of America has urged more research into its long-term impacts.
In the Belgrade context, the government’s denial clashes with Serbia’s history of heavy-handed protest responses and the sheer scale of the March 15 demonstration. If LRAD was used, it would mark a significant escalation, potentially violating local laws and international norms on civilian treatment. The device’s ability to target a crowd of thousands, as reported, fits its technical profile, but environmental factors—wind, buildings, or distance—could have altered its effect. Without independent verification, the incident remains a flashpoint in an already tense political climate.
As of now, the events in Belgrade highlight LRAD’s dual nature: a tool for communication and a potential instrument of control. Whether it was deployed or not, the allegations underscore broader questions about its role in modern governance. For Serbia, the protests signal deep discontent, and the LRAD debate amplifies calls for transparency. Globally, the technology’s evolution—integrating with AI and surveillance—suggests its use will only grow, making clarity on its deployment and effects more urgent than ever. Until more evidence emerges, the sonic disruption in Belgrade on March 15, 2025, remains a contested chapter in both Serbian history and the story of LRAD itself.
