2026-10-20 19:07:43Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Several photos and videos published on social networks, accompanied by the claim that LRAD acoustic devices from Israel had arrived at Rinas airport, raised the alarm about their possible use against protesters in Tirana.

The post presented the devices (known to be manufactured by the American company "Genasys") as "sonic cannons", warning about their effects and claiming that they were an Israeli technology also used during the protests in Serbia a few months ago.

But, beyond the claims accompanying the photo and posts, there is no published evidence to confirm that the visible device is an LRAD, that it came from Israel, or that it was brought to Albania for protest control.

From official sources of the State Police, but also sources from other official institutions, Faktoje learned that, "it is about the arrival of two water cannons from Turkey and not from Israel," as "a gift from Netanyahu."

Still according to official sources, it is confirmed that, "the autobots are simply for using water to disperse crowds in protests and do not have any parts mounted for acoustic equipment or sound cannons."

Even on social media, citizens began warning each other that during the protests they should purchase earplugs from pharmacies or noise-blocking headphones.

"They are bringing the Israeli device that strikes with radio frequency! Also used in the protests in Belgrade. Although it is prohibited by all international and European documents, because it is classified as the use of torture," said one of the messages on social networks.

Albania–Israel, the agreement does not include the LRAD

The suspicions about the origin of the equipment in Rinas come at a time when Albania has deepened defense cooperation with Israel. 

In September 2025, the Council of Ministers approved the framework agreement between the Albanian Ministry of Defense and its Israeli counterpart, which includes the state-owned enterprise "KAYO" and the Israeli company of the "Elbit Systems" group.

The agreement foresees cooperation on military capabilities, including the ATMOS artillery system, SPEAR mortars, and quadcopter platforms. 

But, in the published document, there is no mention of "LRAD" devices (even though they are American-made), the Israeli "The Scream" system, or other acoustic crowd control devices.

Therefore, the existence of the agreement between "KAYO" and "Elbit Systems" does not constitute proof that Albania has ordered or received sonic cannons. 

How did the device arrive in Serbia?

A precedent that has fueled discussions about the origin of acoustic devices is the case of Serbia. 

Serbian authorities have confirmed that the police possess LRAD equipment purchased in 2021, manufactured by the American company "Genasys".

According to reports by Radio Free Europe and the procurement documents made public, the Serbian company "Romax Trade" was involved in the purchase process, while the state-owned enterprise "Jugoimport-SDPR" is also mentioned in the documentation. 

Specifically, the company "Romax-trade", associated with the procurement of the device known as the sonic cannon, had received two permits in 2024 to import weapons and military equipment from "Elbit Systems", for the Serbian Ministry of Defense.

This proves a commercial connection between “Romax-trade”, “Elbit Systems” and the Serbian Ministry of Defense, but does not in itself prove that the acoustic device was manufactured by “Elbit” or that it was purchased for use against protesters.

Neither "Elbit Systems", which has agreements with the Serbian government in the field of defense, has been identified with public evidence as the company responsible for this transaction.

What happened in Belgrade?

During a protest on March 15th of this year in Belgrade, attended by around 300,000 people, at the moment when the crowd was observing a minute of silence for the victims of the Novi Sad train station tragedy, a strange, brief noise was heard.

Within seconds, the crowd began to flee in complete panic. Hundreds of protesters later reported on social media and the media that they felt severe headaches, nausea, pressure in their ears and immediate disorientation.

The Serbian government initially denied possessing such weapons. Two days later, opposition MP Marinika Tepic published a document showing that the Interior Ministry had received two types of sound cannons. 

She also showed a photograph showing such a device mounted on a Serbian gendarmerie jeep.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic later admitted that the ministry possesses so-called LRAD systems, but denied that they have been used.

“These systems are in boxes in our warehouses,” Dacic said. At the time, when he was the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic added that “various things” had been purchased but never used.

What is LRAD?

LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) is an acoustic device manufactured by the American company "Genasys". 

It uses high-intensity directed sound for communication over long distances and can cause pain or hearing damage depending on the level and duration of exposure. 

It can be used as a powerful loudspeaker to give warnings over great distances, but it also has the tactical function of emitting a focused beam of high-frequency sound, which exceeds the human pain threshold.

It is used to disperse crowds by causing disorientation, inability to stay in that area and, in extreme cases, permanent hearing damage. ( Faktoje.al )


Video