Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dačić stated today that the Ministry of the Interior possesses the LRAD-450XL and LRAD-100X devices, but that they are only used for warning, i.e. sending sound messages during large gatherings.
Q:
A:
Ministry of Interior possesses only technical equipment for sound notification
Belgrade,
19 March 2025
In front of the Palace of Serbia, Dačić demonstrated the functioning of the sound devices that were recorded during the citizens’ protest on 15 March outside the Serbian parliament, explaining that this is technical equipment for amplifying sound, i.e. informing a larger number of people at greater distances.
The Deputy Prime Minister once again denied allegations that the equipment was purchased to be used as a sound cannon, emphasising that this is prohibited under the Serbian legislation.
The use of these devices for other purposes, except for warnings at a public gathering, is not permitted, he said, adding that neither on 15 March nor ever before was the option of communicating a public warning from these devices used, although the police have the right to do so under the Rulebook on Police Powers.
Dačić explained that these technical devices for sound amplification were purchased in the United States without special permits, on the free market, and are registered as audio equipment, i.e. a more powerful speaker.
He said that these devices are used in a hundred countries, in 550 cities in the United States, as well as in Canada, Japan, Israel, Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, Poland, Australia, the Czech Republic, New Zealand and Singapore.
Following his address, members of the Ministry of the Interior, in the presence of journalists, activated the devices and broadcast pre-prepared messages intended for the event of protesters storming the parliament and other institutions.
PHOTOS: mup.gov.rs
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