Dacic showed the vehicle filmed at the Parliament; It is forbidden to use the device as a sonic weapon PHOTO

"I'm sorry that this time we have to deal with denying the shameful lies that we hear every day. The police did not deserve such an attitude, they deserve gratitude due to the fact that peace was preserved. They did not use almost any means of coercion, which they have the right to do under the law, and that was the case on March 15. Although there were huge security risks, the entire rally passed peacefully," he said.

"The Police of Serbia have never used, not even on March 15, any illegal means that are not provided for in the Law on Police, including means that are colloquially called a sonic weapon," he emphasized.

"Regarding the sound, the police use only sound means for warning and we said that on the first day. I also don't know what kind of new information it is and what kind of news it is that the police acquired acoustic devices, when I stated yesterday at the committee that the police in 2021 acquired certain means that were defined for notifying a larger number of people at greater distances. The public warning communication option that the police prepares for every large public gathering, even it was not used at this gathering, although the police have the right to use it," Dacic added.

"In the way police powers are applied, Article 6 based on the Law on Police clearly states: warnings can be given orally, in writing, using technical means to amplify the sound, when it is prescribed by law," said Dacic.

"So, here we are talking about technical means for amplifying sound. It is defined as a basic tool, not a weapon, for informing a large number of people at greater distances," he said, adding that it is about acoustic devices that are in free trade and are used in 100 countries.

"How is the system in Serbia now undemocratic, and here we are talking about some supposedly democratic countries. USA, Canada, Japan, Israel, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, Poland, Australia, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Singapore..." said Dacic.

"I deny that it was bought to be used as a sonic weapon. A sound cannon is the misuse of these devices with the help of sound signals, it is prohibited by our law and that option does not exist," he said.

"Riots, problems were expected, the police have the task by law to warn, i.e. to order dispersal in case of such situations. Why are these devices used? They are not classified as weapons if they are not used against citizens in the sense of emitting sound signals that would cause problems for citizens. In our country, this is only registered to warn the masses. In the world, it is used for the border, for migrants, coast guards, public warnings to disperse, in emergency situations to call people to evacuate. We are talking about megaphones, large loudspeakers, they inform a larger number of people at greater distances, with the presence of noise and certain distances, that is the purpose why they were acquired in 2021. They were never used. The commanders had ready sound messages."

"I will repeat, these devices are not used, and it is forbidden to use them as a sonic weapon! Why use such shameful lies?" asked Dacic.

The police only had the means to warn someone to disperse and that was all, he pointed out.

"It is an acoustic device that is used to emit sound with greater power at a greater distance, overcoming obstacles, it has never been used for this purpose and, please, stop the manipulations. Is there any evidence that a sound weapon was used? Let someone present it. Everyone gave statements that such a device was never used, not only on March 15, but never ever," the minister emphasized.

"Now we will go down in front of the building and look at that vehicle and listen, let us all stand in front of that device, let them play the message they have prepared and see if you will survive that sound. Anyone can see, record," he said.

Dacic showed the car that was filmed near the National Assembly

"We are interested in recording everything. Bearing in mind that this is presented as a top-notch discovery, we acquired certain devices in 2021 and they can be used by the police to amplify the sound in order to warn participants of a public gathering. In the world, it is used at the border, against migrants in America, when it comes to the coast guard, for warning. That is what we can use by law. Everything else is strictly prohibited. We did not even use this," said Dacic.

The minister then showed the car that was filmed.

Dacic then denied the lies of the opposition media and demonstrated a device from which it was heard:

"We warn all citizens to immediately stop disturbing public order and peace. Otherwise, the police will be forced to use coercive means," the device said.

"Are there any problems? Is it an air cannon?" Dacic then asked, after showing what the mentioned device is used for.

Then they turned the volume all the way up, with the same message.

"That's it. That vehicle was on the side of the Assembly," said Dacic.

The commander then said that the vehicle was never moved, nor was the device.

"From that place, even if someone wanted to leave a message, it certainly wouldn't have reached the place where some people said that there was some kind of event," Dacic said.

"This is classic manipulation and a lie. This was recorded, tested and that's it," he said.

He asked if there was anyone present to complain about anything, to which everyone answered in the negative.