ANEM: Unacceptable intimidation of journalists, media, and their sources during the investigation into the "sound cannon" case.

ANEM estimates that it is unacceptable for journalists and analysts, who have been engaged in and publicly commenting on a topic that has stirred citizens and the public over the past year, to be the target of investigations. Placing targets on journalists and analysts poses a threat to freedom of speech and expression in Serbia, and this must be urgently stopped.

Attorney Stefan Ćorda confirmed today to the media that a search was conducted at the apartment and office of military analyst Aleksandar Radić, as well as at the apartment of his wife, while RTS reported that police officers are conducting searches under the order of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, and that the prosecutor's office suspects that Radić, "in prior agreement," immediately after the protests on March 15 of last year, "began to spread information about the alleged use of a sound cannon."

Members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs today delivered a summons to the editor-in-chief of the Beta news agency, Vojkan Kostić, to report to the Criminal Police Administration (UKP) in New Belgrade for the purpose of gathering information in a pre-investigation procedure regarding the criminal offense of "Preparation of an act against the constitutional order and security of Serbia." Kostić received this summons while reporting on the search of military analyst Aleksandar Radić's apartment in the Belgrade municipality of Vračar.

At the same time, an orchestrated campaign is being conducted by high officials and media close to them, many of whom have specifically targeted Radar due to the front page titled "The Day Vučić Shot the People in the Back" and the article's author Milan Radonjić, who published research results on how the authorities prepared for a major protest rally of students and citizens on March 15, 2025, just before the first anniversary of the unfortunate events on March 12, 2026.

Immediately after the prosecutor's announcement a few days ago, a campaign targeting independent media and journalists who reported on this incident or expressed an opinion about it was launched in media close to the authorities and on social networks, in which they are called to account for "simulating an incident" and for arrest for "participating in a coup." They are accused of being part of an "organized media group" that operates in the interest of the state’s enemies and society.

We remind you that independent and professional media in Serbia have faced increased pressures, targeting, threats, physical attacks, and other forms of security threats over the past two years, and that announcements of media involvement in the investigation regarding the alleged use of a sound cannon are merely an additional form of intimidation for journalists who critically and professionally report on issues and events of public interest.

ANEM calls on the relevant authorities, who have waited over a year to initiate an investigation on this topic, to examine all circumstances that occurred on March 15, gather evidence, and not to selectively place targets on certain individuals based on statements and writings in the media.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project "Improvement of the system mechanism for prevention and response in cases of threats to the safety and lives of women and men journalists in Serbia" is being implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insider TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with the support of the European Union.