BRIEF Keeping Focus: Reporting developments in Serbia Tensions in Serbia keep rising following the historical 15 March protest Key points: ɂ Serbian government accused of using sonic weapons against peaceful protestors on 15 March to create chaos ɂ Tensions rise across the country as the government manipulates facts to present protests as violent ɂ Repressive measures against government critics intensify ɂ Parliamentary opposition unite in demanding a transitional government of“national trust”, while many students support an“expert government” Serious allegations of the use of a sonic weapon against the citizens The largest protest in the history of Serbia, which is estimated to have gathered more than 300,000 citizens in central Belgrade on 15 March, was marked by a serious incident during a peaceful and silent commemoration the 15 victims of the Novi Sad tragedy. Dozens of disturbing videos show large crowds abruptly running towards the sidewalks of a street in downtown Belgrade. Civil society organizations have collected thousands of testimonials describing a sound akin to a passing plane or a train descending on them, which caused significant distress and numerous injuries. This description has led to accusations of the authorities of using a form of acoustic device – specifically the so-called “sound cannon”(Long Range Acoustic Device – LRAD) – against the crowd. The use of such a device as a crowd control weapon is illegal in Serbia. Speculations of the use of other devices, such as vortex cannon or a vortex ring gun, have also been made by CSOs. The state institutions denied using a“sound cannon”. However, the official story turned out to have had several inconsistencies. The officials claimed that Serbia did not Tensions in Serbia keep rising following the historical 15 March protest 1