Serbia Protest Mystery: Sonic Weapon Allegations and Official Denials

Mysterious Sound at Serbian Protest

• ⚡ Thousands of anti-government protesters in Serbia's capital on March 15 experienced a mysterious "rumble" that caused them to panic and part abruptly.
• 👂 Witnesses described hearing an "approaching sound, a rising sound, a sound that was somehow fuller," with one comparing it to a "large powerful machine hurtling itself."

Sonic Weapons and Their Effects

• 💥 Sonic weapons are described as devices that employ extreme sound to incapacitate targets, potentially damaging ears and causing headaches.
• ⚠️ Such weapons are illegal to use in Serbia, and some protesters reported feeling faint, nauseous, or even falling over.

Official Responses and Investigations

• 🤥 Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić refuted allegations of a "sound cannon" being used, calling it a "dangerous and brutal lie" and promising justice for those spreading it.
• 🧐 While Serbian authorities initially denied possessing such devices, the interior minister admitted police bought long-range acoustic devices from the US in 2021, though police, security, and military denied their use.
• 🔍 Human rights watchdog Amiga Foundation noted the unusual, distinct effect on the crowd, appearing to split them down the center line, warranting further investigation.
• 💨 Earshot, an audio investigations organization, suggested the noise could potentially be from an experimental vortex ring gun, a non-lethal crowd control weapon using air vortices.
• 🤝 Investigators from Russia's FSB and the US's FBI have been sent to Serbia to look into the incident at the request of Belgrade.