More than half a million people have signed an online petition calling for an independent investigation into whether security forces in Serbia used a sonic weapon – what the petition described as a “sound cannon” – during Saturday’s huge anti-corruption rally.

Days after as many as 325,000 people took to the streets of Belgrade, rights groups and opposition parties continue to allege that protesters were targeted with some sort of auditory device that briefly sowed panic and left some with symptoms that lingered long after the rally.

Serbian politicians and police have denied the allegations. Earlier this week, the country’s increasingly autocratic president, Aleksandar Vučić, described the claim as a “wicked lie” that was aimed at “destroying Serbia”.

  • Optional@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    This is super old technology. I remember reading about it decades ago. I have no idea why the Grauniad insists on writing about it like it’s a ghost sighting.

    ‘Some sort of device’, quotes around “sound cannon”, other examples. This is like

    Witnesses described ‘some sort of smoke device’ that created apparent eye irritation - what the petition called a “tear gas grenade”

    • TachyonTele@lemm.ee
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      2 days ago

      Im surprised sound weapons aren’t used more often. It’s crazy effective on people. Just watching the video in the article shows how impressive it can be.

      • punksnotdead@slrpnk.net
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        1 day ago

        It’s only crazy effective if it’s not expected. If it becomes the norm then everyone just starts wearing foam ear plugs, maybe ear defenders if they’re fancy.

        It’s easily defeated and incites the wrath of the populace. It’s dumb to use, especially during a moment of silence for the dead.

      • ℍ𝕂-𝟞𝟝@sopuli.xyz
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        1 day ago

        Because if people, especially in Serbia, feel like their right to protest is being taken away, they’ll go home and break out the AKs.

      • Optional@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Sure and army squadrons hopped up on meth can wipe out an entire square full of unarmed protesters in no time.

    • GreenKnight23@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      last I heard there were some protestors who complained of a burning sensation on their skin.

      that would make this a different weapon entirely that presumably uses microwaves.