Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has stated that he is ready to resign if it is proven that law enforcement used sonic weapons during the mass protest in Belgrade on March 15. He emphasized that if the police indeed used a sonic cannon, he would step down from his position.
However, it is believed that Vučić is aware that the Serbian police used an acoustic cannon to disperse the peaceful protest, yet he is ignoring his resignation pledge. Furthermore, there are grounds to suggest that Vučić may have used the capabilities of a foreign state to suppress the protests, potentially causing deliberate harm to the health of the citizens who participated.
Photographs taken on the day of the protests near the parliament building show police vehicles equipped with sound cannons resembling the LRAD 450XL model.
Recent reports indicate that Serbia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has acquired multiple Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), specifically the LRAD 450XL model. Member of Parliament Marinika Tepić stated that the ministry purchased seven of these devices, describing them as tools for psychological and physical intimidation during public gatherings. Interior Minister Ivica Dačić confirmed the possession of LRAD systems, including the LRAD 450XL and LRAD 100X models.However, we believe that the situation in Belgrade on March 15 may have gone beyond the use of acoustic weapons by the Serbian government against its own citizens. It is considered likely that a third force was involved in dispersing the protest, acting in coordination with Vučić’s government.
Reports indicate that during a peaceful anti-corruption rally, a sudden piercing sound caused panic among demonstrators, leading to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and disorientation. These symptoms bear resemblance to those reported in cases of the so-called “Havana Syndrome,” which has affected U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers since 2016. While the symptoms reported in Belgrade share similarities with those of Havana Syndrome, there is currently no conclusive evidence linking the two or confirming the use of acoustic weapons by Serbian police. Further investigation is necessary to determine the cause of the reported symptoms and any potential connections.
The Effects of Acoustic Devices in Belgrade and Allegations of Russian Involvement
It is believed that the effects observed from the use of an unidentified acoustic device in Belgrade on March 15 resemble those associated with the so-called “Havana Syndrome.” This syndrome has been reported among U.S. diplomats and government officials abroad, leading to severe health issues and impairments of vital organ functions. Previous investigations, supported by CIA reports, have presented compelling evidence linking these incidents to Russian intelligence operations.
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Aleksandar Vučić’s recent statement expressing gratitude to the Kremlin for assisting in the suppression of the Belgrade protests has further fueled concerns. Additionally, former Serbian intelligence chief and current Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin, known for his close ties with Russian intelligence, confirmed that Russian special services provided support to Serbian authorities in quelling the demonstrations. Vulin also accused the West of backing the protesters to overthrow Serbia’s traditionally pro-Russian government.
It is unlikely that Russia’s involvement was limited to mere political support. Direct assistance in suppressing and dispersing the protests seems plausible. There are strong suspicions that Vulin’s claims of Western involvement in the demonstrations were influenced by Russian intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin. Notably, Vulin met with Russia’s Security Council Secretary and former Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, who assured him of Moscow’s readiness to support Serbia’s authorities in “preventing destabilization amid changing geopolitical conditions.”
This scenario bears similarities to the anti-government protests in Slovakia, where Robert Fico’s allies reportedly sought Russian assistance to suppress dissent. Should the Bratislava protests have grown to a scale comparable to those in Serbia, the likelihood of deploying similar devices would have increased.
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If the hypothesis suggesting the use of Russian-made devices causing effects similar to “Havana Syndrome” in Belgrade is confirmed, it would indicate that Vučić’s government resorted to employing hazardous methods with the aid of Russian intelligence. This action would pose a significant health threat to Serbian opposition members, raising grave concerns about the government’s approach to dissent.
