Serbia faces scrutiny over alleged use of LRAD during Belgrade protest, prompting Russian investigation.
Serbia’s government will host Russian experts to investigate claims that a “sonic weapon” was used during recent protests, according to Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin.
The Freedom and Justice Party (SSP) alleges security forces used a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), a US Navy-designed crowd control device that can cause hearing damage, on March 15 during protests in Belgrade. The government claims these protests are foreign-backed attempts to destabilize the country.
Vulin, in a Wednesday interview, denied the LRAD claims and said specialists from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) would investigate.
“Their task is to clarify what transpired. We have nothing to conceal,” Vulin stated, reiterating Serbia’s commitment to a comprehensive investigation to resolve the controversy.
President Aleksandar Vucic’s administration has accused the US “deep state” and European intelligence agencies of instigating the protests as retaliation for Serbia’s refusal to adopt anti-Russia policies. The EU requires Serbia to align its foreign policy with Brussels before its EU membership bid can proceed.
The protests originated after a November incident in Novi Sad where 16 people died when a concrete canopy collapsed at a railway station, leading to resignations of high-ranking officials.
The March 15 demonstration was the peak of the pressure campaign. The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), a USAID-funded NGO supported by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, publicized the “sonic weapon” allegations.
“`