Belgrade witnessed an unprecedented wave of public dissent on Saturday, as hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets in a historic demonstration against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić&rsquo;s increasingly autocratic rule. What began as a student-led movement against government corruption and negligence has now evolved into the largest challenge to Vučić&rsquo;s administration in over a decade.
The Serbian capital was brought to a standstill as masses of people flooded the streets, converging on key locations despite the government&rsquo;s attempts to downplay the turnout. Protesters rallied in different parts of the city before marching toward the National Assembly and Slavija Square, where they observed a solemn 15-minute silence in honour of the 15 victims of a fatal train station accident&mdash;an incident seen as emblematic of Serbia&rsquo;s deteriorating infrastructure under Vučić&rsquo;s rule.
Public transport was entirely shut down, mobile networks were disrupted, and the government remained on high alert, with law enforcement bracing for unrest. The Serbian Interior Ministry officially reported a turnout of 107,000 people, but independent estimates from the Archive of Public Gatherings put the number at between 275,000 and 300,000, making it one of the largest public demonstrations in Serbia&rsquo;s history.
Escalation and Unconfirmed Reports of Clashes
What began as a peaceful protest soon turned tense. According to multiple reports, a Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), commonly known as a "sound cannon," was allegedly deployed by the Serbian authorities to disperse demonstrators. The LRAD emits extremely loud sounds, reaching up to 160 decibels, and has been known to cause disorientation, nausea, and even permanent hearing damage.
A video circulated by independent media outlets appears to show protesters scattering in panic as the deafening sound pierces through the air. However, Serbian police denied using the device, calling such claims "inconsistent with the law."
Adding to the chaos, unverified reports suggest that clashes broke out between different groups of demonstrators, with some turning their frustration toward the police. President Vučić later claimed that at least 56 people were injured, including one individual at Nikola Pa&scaron;ić Square, though he insisted that none of the injuries were life-threatening. Additionally, 22 people were arrested for alleged acts of vandalism and "inciting disorder."
Vučić&rsquo;s Response: Denial and Deflection
Despite the scale of the protests, Vučić maintained a firm stance, downplaying the movement&rsquo;s significance while simultaneously warning of harsh consequences for those who "seek to provoke violence." In his statement, he claimed, "Serbia has preserved peace. There was enormous negative energy, anger, and rage directed at the authorities, but no fatalities or serious injuries."
He also sought to minimize the protest&rsquo;s impact by suggesting that a majority of demonstrators&mdash;particularly students&mdash;were not in favour of violence. "While some had sought to provoke incidents, 99% of the student protesters did not want violence," he said, appealing to the younger demographic to reconsider their demands.
Vučić&rsquo;s government has faced growing opposition over the past year, with increasing accusations of corruption, media suppression, and crackdowns on dissent. The protests first gained traction after the tragic train station collapse, which many believe was a direct result of state negligence. Over the months, the movement has expanded into a broader push against Vučić&rsquo;s centralized grip on power and his government&rsquo;s failure to address systemic issues.
What&rsquo;s Next for Serbia?
Saturday&rsquo;s protest marks a critical moment in Serbia&rsquo;s modern history. While Vučić remains defiant, the sheer scale of public outrage signals a shifting political landscape. The opposition has now gained unprecedented momentum, with calls for institutional reforms, an end to state-controlled media, and greater political freedoms growing louder.
The question now is whether Vučić will escalate his authoritarian tactics in response or concede to mounting public pressure. With international scrutiny increasing, and civil unrest reaching a boiling point, the coming weeks could determine the future trajectory of Serbia&rsquo;s democracy.
For now, Belgrade&rsquo;s streets remain charged with a sense of defiance. Whether this mass mobilization will translate into tangible political change remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Serbia is no longer willing to remain silent.
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Unprecedented protest against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade

Mass protests in Belgrade escalate, raising questions on President Vučić’s political future

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March 16, 2025 | 12:21 IST