Belgrade, March 16, 2025.
Civic Initiatives, Belgrade Center for Human Rights, CRTA, FemPlatz, Committee of Lawyers for Human Rights (YUCOM) and Initiative A11 are collecting testimonies from citizens who were present during the incident at the March 15 protest in Belgrade, for which there is a serious suspicion that some means were used to break up the demonstrations.
In a short period of time, the organizations received more than five hundred applications via telephone, e-mail and social networks, and later also through a questionnaire. According to the testimonies, at 19:11 and 19:12, mostly in Ulica Kralja Milana – between Beograđanka, SKC, JDP and Masarikova – those present felt a strong sound impact, followed by a wave of heat or wind. Witnesses described the sound as a powerful roar similar to an airplane engine or a train in a tunnel, combined with a high-frequency shrill whistle, cannon fire or explosion, while many had the feeling that a huge vehicle, stampede or invisible force was bearing down on the crowd, causing panic and instinctive fear.
The analysis of the testimony so far shows that the wave was felt from the direction of Terazi, Beogradjanka and the National Assembly, which is confirmed by the largest number of respondents. Citizens closer to Belgrade mostly reported that the wave came from the Assembly or from the city center, while those from Slavija and JDP felt it coming from behind them, from the direction of Kralje Milan. After collecting more testimonies, a more comprehensive analysis of the direction and direction of the wave will be done, based on information about where people were and from which side they felt the wave.
Most witnesses reported intense fear, panic and shock, with rapid heart rate, tremors, disorientation and a sense of loss of control, while some experienced headaches, pressure in the ears, buzzing, nausea, vomiting, high pressure in the head and a feeling of heat on the body. Many experienced panic attacks, anxiety and long-term anxiety, while some suffered fainting and injuries from falling in the stampede, including sprains, dislocations and cuts.
The incident took place during 15 minutes of silence in memory of the 15 victims of the fall of the canopy at the train station in Novi Sad, at a time when citizens stood quietly and paid their respects.
Based on the collected testimonies, it is clear that during the protest there was a strong sound impact, which caused a series of physical and psychological reactions in the citizens present. This incident, which occurred during a moment of silence during the tributes, raises serious questions about its origins, circumstances and the responsibility of those who caused it.
We will continue to collect testimonies in order to prepare and submit applications to the competent domestic and international bodies. We request the competent institutions to urgently investigate these allegations and inform the public about their findings.
We invite citizens who were at the mentioned locations at that time to report their experiences using the form – the form is available at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDKZUrJaGCc_o7BLWGmJPULIQnnN-ygXW9Wmy00kIHlIPfBQ/viewform
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