Serbian Police Allegedly Used Acoustic Weapons Against Refugees
Incidents reported involving the use of sound-producing devices during refugee evictions raise concerns over human rights practices.
In November 2023, reports emerged indicating that the Serbian police utilized an acoustic device resembling a sound weapon during the forcible eviction of refugees from a site in the suburbs of Sombor.
On November 7, around 35 refugees, mostly men alongside women and children, attempted to flee through fields near an abandoned house as police entered their residence.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that a loud, piercing sound emanated from a device operated by police in the field, allegedly intended to disorient and apprehend those fleeing.
Documentation from organizations monitoring the treatment of refugees indicates that the use of such sound devices was part of a larger crackdown on smuggling networks linked to Afghanistan, Morocco, and Syria.
Human rights advocates have raised alarm over abuses faced by ordinary refugees, who are not implicated in criminal activities.
The use of acoustic devices is reported to coincide with a broader law enforcement initiative, which involved multiple police units, including regular police officers, special intervention units, and specialized antiterrorist forces.
Further reports from the Border Violence Monitoring Group noted similar incidents where Serbian police employed sound-producing devices in the context of refugee evictions, describing them as tools to create panic and hasten physical removal from areas of residence.
Speculation surrounds the type of acoustic equipment utilized, with indications pointing towards a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), which is designed to emit sounds at high decibel levels over distances.
On March 15, 2024, the use of such sound weapons came under scrutiny during a public protest in Belgrade, where allegations surfaced that authorities deployed acoustic devices against demonstrators amid a moment of silence.
Serbian officials have since denied any use of such weapons, with the Ministry of the Interior asserting that currently owned sonic weapons, purchased in 2021, remain unused and are stored in warehouses due to a lack of legal guidelines for their deployment.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Ivica Dačić, confirmed the existence of these systems but clarified that they are not operational until lawful regulations govern their use.
In response to the controversy surrounding the protest, President Aleksandar Vučić stated he would resign if it is confirmed that security forces employed a sound weapon against the public during the demonstration, emphasizing the severity of the claims and the implications for governmental accountability.
On November 7, around 35 refugees, mostly men alongside women and children, attempted to flee through fields near an abandoned house as police entered their residence.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that a loud, piercing sound emanated from a device operated by police in the field, allegedly intended to disorient and apprehend those fleeing.
Documentation from organizations monitoring the treatment of refugees indicates that the use of such sound devices was part of a larger crackdown on smuggling networks linked to Afghanistan, Morocco, and Syria.
Human rights advocates have raised alarm over abuses faced by ordinary refugees, who are not implicated in criminal activities.
The use of acoustic devices is reported to coincide with a broader law enforcement initiative, which involved multiple police units, including regular police officers, special intervention units, and specialized antiterrorist forces.
Further reports from the Border Violence Monitoring Group noted similar incidents where Serbian police employed sound-producing devices in the context of refugee evictions, describing them as tools to create panic and hasten physical removal from areas of residence.
Speculation surrounds the type of acoustic equipment utilized, with indications pointing towards a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), which is designed to emit sounds at high decibel levels over distances.
On March 15, 2024, the use of such sound weapons came under scrutiny during a public protest in Belgrade, where allegations surfaced that authorities deployed acoustic devices against demonstrators amid a moment of silence.
Serbian officials have since denied any use of such weapons, with the Ministry of the Interior asserting that currently owned sonic weapons, purchased in 2021, remain unused and are stored in warehouses due to a lack of legal guidelines for their deployment.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Ivica Dačić, confirmed the existence of these systems but clarified that they are not operational until lawful regulations govern their use.
In response to the controversy surrounding the protest, President Aleksandar Vučić stated he would resign if it is confirmed that security forces employed a sound weapon against the public during the demonstration, emphasizing the severity of the claims and the implications for governmental accountability.
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