While the domestic prosecutor's office is still investigating whether and what illegal means were used at the protest in Belgrade on March 15th, a panel of seven judges of the European Court of Human Rights brought a temporary measure to Serbia on the use audio devices for the control of gathered citizens.
As stated in the announcement, the court decided on April 29, 2025 to issue a temporary measure and indicated to the Government that any use of sound devices to control gathered citizens should be prevented.
"Regarding the petitioners' request that the Court say that the state should prevent the use of sonic weapons or similar devices at future protests, the Court indicated to the Government that, until further notice, any use of sonic devices to control gathered citizens (except for communication purposes) must be prevented in the future," the statement reads.
The court, as it is added, stated that the use of such weapons to control occupied citizens is illegal in Serbia and, in particular, that it can potentially cause serious health consequences for a large number of people.
As it is added, the Court underlined that the decision does not mean that it has taken any position on whether such weapons were used on March 15, 2025, and that it does not prejudge the outcome of the petition that the applicants would request.
Applicants have one month to submit their application.
Partially accepted requests
As stated, the European Court of Human Rights partially accepted the requests of the applicants and issued a temporary measure in the case of Đorović and others against Serbia.
The case is said to relate to the alleged use of sound weapons to control crowds of citizens at demonstrations and concerns that they could be used in future demonstrations.
"The applicants requested that the Court issue a temporary measure that would oblige the Serbian authorities to prevent the use of sonic weapons in such circumstances, to prevent the prosecution of those who participate in the public debate on the use of sonic weapons on March 15, 2025, and to conduct an effective investigation into the allegations that sonic weapons were used," the statement said.
One measure was introduced, and for the other requests, the Court states that they do not fall under the procedure according to Rule 39, and the Court did not issue temporary measures in this regard.
"Measures according to Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure of the Court are taken in connection with the proceedings before the Court, without prejudicing any subsequent decisions on the admissibility or merits of the case. The Court approves such requests only in exceptional cases, if the applicants would otherwise face an immediate risk of irreparable damage," the statement said.
Request from 47 citizens
47 Serbian citizens submitted a request to the European Court of Human Rights.
"On March 15, 2025, the applicants took part in a protest in Belgrade. While they observed 15 minutes of silence in memory of those who died after the collapse of the canopies at the train station in Novi Sad in November 2024, around 19 p.m. loud sounds and air waves disrupted the gathering," the statement reads.
It added that the applicants allegedly experienced intense instinctual fear, panic, shock, rapid heart rate, tremors, hearing problems, vomiting, nausea, tachycardia and similar symptoms. Some reportedly suffered physical injuries in the ensuing panic. Up to 4.000 people reported their experiences of the incident.
"Vreme" reported on the incident at the March 15 protest extensive research.