On April 29, 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (a panel of seven judges) decided to partially adopt the applicants’ requests and issue an interim measure regarding the potential use of sound weapons in Belgrade on March 15.
The case concerns, as stated, the alleged use of sound weapons to control gathered citizens by the authorities at demonstrations and concerns that the same could be used at future demonstrations.
The applicants requested that the Court issue an interim measure obliging the Serbian authorities to prevent the use of sound weapons in such circumstances; prevent the criminal prosecution of those participating in the public discussion about the use of sound weapons on March 15, 2025; and to conduct an effective investigation into the allegations that sound weapons were used, it was stated.
The Court indicated to the Government that it should prevent any use of sound devices for crowd control, it was announced.
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The Court (a panel of seven judges) decided on April 29, 2025, to issue an interim measure. Regarding the applicants’ request that the Court indicate that the state should prevent the use of sound weapons or similar devices at future protests by the state and/or non-state actors, the Court indicated to the Government that, pending further notice, any use of sound devices for crowd control (except for communication purposes) must be prevented in the future, the statement said.
The Court stated that the use of such weapons for crowd control is illegal in Serbia and, in particular, that it could potentially cause serious health consequences for a large number of people, it is stated.
The Court emphasized 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 any application that the applicants may submit. The applicants have one month to submit an application in accordance with Article 34 of the Convention (right to individual application), it is stated.
The request was submitted by 47 Serbian citizens. The applicants participated in a protest in Belgrade on March 15, 2025. While observing a 15-minute silence in memory of those who died after the collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, around 7 p.m., loud noises and airwaves disrupted the gathering. The applicants allegedly experienced intense instinctive fear, panic, shock, rapid heartbeat, trembling, hearing problems, vomiting, nausea, tachycardia, and similar symptoms. Some allegedly sustained physical injuries due to the ensuing panic. Up to 4,000 people reported their experiences of the incident. On March 24, 2025, the applicants requested the Court to indicate, in particular, to the Serbian authorities the need to prevent the use of such means against demonstrators at future protests.
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Source: N1; Photo: Wikimedia Creative Commons / Adrian Grycuk