Pressure is mounting on the Serbian government following reports that security forces may have used prohibited sonic weapons against a peaceful crowd during an anti-corruption rally. More than half a million people have signed a petition calling for an independent investigation, with new footage adding to speculation about the tactical dispersal methods used during the 15 March demonstration in Belgrade. During the protest, which was attended by tens of thousands of people, video footage captured the sudden panic after a swooshing sound, during a 15-minute moment of silence held to honor the victims of the Novi Sad disaster that killed 16 people. A wave of demonstrations has followed the tragedy, with many Serbians blaming corruption and mismanagement. While the Serbian president has dismissed the claims, others have reported mysterious and frightening sounds, leading to calls for clarity on what caused the commotion if not a sonic device. The photos showed what appears to be an LRAD, though its manufacturer denied its use, and the interior minister insisted its police only use sound devices for warnings. Similar accounts and conflicting denials have prompted calls for an independent investigation by the United Nations, Council of Europe, and OSCE, as well as a legal complaint to the European Court of Human Rights by rights groups who gathered testimonies from affected individuals.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/serbia-calls-for-investigation-into-claims-illegal-sonic-weapon-used-against-peaceful-protesters-13335920