The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, has set a condition for his resignation, Russian media report.
“If it is proven that security forces used a sound cannon at the protest held in Belgrade on March 15th, I will resign,” Vucic stated.
“I am telling you now – if our troops used a sound cannon… I am no longer president. You pathetic liars, shame on you,” Russian media cite Vucic.
Russian media add that opposition supporters previously accused Serbian authorities of allegedly ordering the use of a “sound cannon” to disperse demonstrations in Belgrade.
“In response, Serbian authorities stated that they are ready to involve the Russian FSB and the United States (U.S.) FBI in the investigation.”
Russian media, in an article titled “You should be ashamed – Vucic made an unexpected statement,” write about Vucic’s “unusual statement,” referring to his offer to resign if reports of security forces using sonic weapons against demonstrators in Belgrade are confirmed.
The Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and the Security Intelligence Agency categorically rejected the allegations that a “sound cannon” was used, Russian media pointed out.
At a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Vucic called on Justice Minister Maja Popovic to find out who is spreading accusations about the authorities’ use of a “sonic cannon,” while the Prosecutor’s Office ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct an investigation.
They also highlight a statement by the Russian ambassador to Belgrade, Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko, that “Serbia’s non-alignment with sanctions against Russia is one of the reasons why Europe is secretly undermining and destabilizing Serbia.”
“The main reasons for dissatisfaction with Serbia lie in two things: active, clear, long-term rejection of anti-Russian sanctions in Brussels. The Serbian leadership has withstood pressure, threats, and the trial use of secondary sanctions from the collective West for not joining the anti-Russian measures,” Kharchenko said.
“One piece of evidence that a sound cannon was used against demonstrators – and I am no longer president,” Russian media cite Vucic.
Another Russian media outlet writes, quoting Vucic, that the provided evidence indicates the absence of such weapon use and that international experts support this conclusion.
At a press conference in Brussels, Vucic emphasized that he does not need immunity because he is not a criminal, Russian media report.
He expressed confidence in the legitimacy of the actions of Serbian authorities and said: “One piece of evidence that a sound cannon was used against demonstrators – and I am no longer president.” Vucic noted that the opposition is trying to use this case to discredit his government but relies on the objectivity of international experts to determine the truth.
The largest demonstrations in decades were held in Belgrade on March 15th, Russian media recall.
“According to official data, 107.000 people participated. However, according to calculations by the Public Assembly Archive organization, the actual number of demonstrators could have reached 325.000. During a 15-minute silence dedicated to the victims of the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad Railway Station, a muffled sound was heard in the crowd, after which panic broke out – participants fled in different directions. The opposition accused the police of using sonic weapons, whose use is prohibited by Serbian law,” this Russian media outlet points out.
Opposition representatives also stated that shortly before the incident, law enforcement agencies left the area, and victims later sought medical assistance with characteristic symptoms, it is added, N1 writes.
