EU Calls for Credible, Transparent Investigation Into Alleged Use of Sonic Weapon

European Commission (Photo: European Commission/Lukasz Kobus)

The European Union (EU) has called for a transparent and credible investigation into allegations that a sonic weapon was used against demonstrators during a protest in Belgrade on March 15, a spokesman for the European Commission, Guillaume Mercier, said on June 26.

In a comment on the ongoing proceedings related to the alleged use of a sonic weapon during the March 15 protest last year, Mercier said that “the EU is closely following the situation and reiterates its call for a credible and transparent investigation,” the Serbian state broadcaster RTS reported.

Mercier recalled that in April 2025 the European Court of Human Rights imposed interim measures requiring Serbia to prevent any future use of sonic devices for crowd control and to ensure that people taking part in public debates on the alleged use of such weapons are not subjected to criminal prosecution. He added that the European Commission expects any investigation to be conducted in full compliance with the law, without political pressure or interference, and with full respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens, including freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

Mercier said European human rights standards required the authorities to protect participants in public gatherings from injury and violence.