Fact check: Was sonic weapon used in beograd yesterday

1. Summary of the results

The use of a sonic weapon in Belgrade remains disputed with conflicting accounts. Serbian officials, including President Vucic, strongly deny the use of such a weapon, calling it a "vile lie" ^[1]. However, multiple sources confirm that protesters experienced a sudden "whooshing sound" during a period of silence, causing panic and a brief stampede, as documented by an Associated Press photographer ^{[2] [2]}. The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy has condemned the alleged use of an acoustic device as "unlawful and inhumane" ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial pieces of context are missing from the original query:

• The incident occurred during a massive protest with attendance estimates ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 people ^[1]
• A military analyst, Aleksandar Radic, suggested the sound likely came from a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), which is "primarily used for incapacitation" ^[1]
• The Serbian president has called for a judicial investigation into both the possible use of the weapon and the spread of "untrue information" ^[4]
• Belgrade's emergency hospital reported no medical cases related to the incident ^[4]
• Opposition groups plan to file charges with the European Court of Human Rights ^[5]
• No images have been found showing protesters with bleeding ears or other injuries typically associated with sonic weapons ^[6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The situation presents several competing interests:

• Government interests: Serbian officials, including the police and defense ministry, have a vested interest in denying the use of illegal weapons against civilians ^[4]
• Opposition groups: These groups benefit from highlighting potential government misconduct and have announced plans to pursue legal action ^[5]
• Rights organizations: Organizations like the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy benefit from maintaining their watchdog role by condemning potential human rights violations ^[3]

It's worth noting that while Serbia has not denied having such devices in their arsenal ^[5], the claims of their use during this protest could not be independently verified ^[6]. Military experts note that exposure to such weapons would cause specific symptoms like sharp ear pain, disorientation, and potential eardrum ruptures with prolonged exposure ^[4], yet no medical cases have been reported ^[4].