Italian Prosecutors Investigate 'Sniper Tourism' During Sarajevo Siege

Investigation Launched into Horrific 'Sniper Tourism' Claims

Milan prosecutors have initiated a formal investigation into disturbing allegations that wealthy individuals, including Italian nationals, engaged in 'sniper tourism' during the brutal 1992-1996 siege of Sarajevo. These claims suggest that participants paid significant sums to Bosnian Serb forces for the opportunity to shoot at civilians, including women and children, for sport. The investigation aims to identify those involved, who could face charges of voluntary murder aggravated by cruelty and abject motives.

The Nature of the Allegations

Reports indicate that individuals from various countries, including Italy, the UK, Germany, France, the United States, and Russia, allegedly paid between €80,000 and €100,000 (or their equivalent at the time) to participate in these 'human hunting' expeditions. These 'sniper tourists' were reportedly positioned in the hills surrounding Sarajevo, from where they targeted the city's residents. Disturbingly, some accounts suggest a 'price list' existed, with higher fees for shooting children or armed men, while the elderly could allegedly be targeted 'for free.' The siege of Sarajevo, which lasted nearly four years, was the longest in modern European history, resulting in the deaths of over 11,000 civilians due to constant shelling and sniper fire.

Genesis of the Current Probe

The current investigation, led by prosecutor Alessandro Gobbi, gained momentum following a legal complaint filed by Milan-based writer and journalist Ezio Gavazzeni. Gavazzeni's efforts were significantly spurred by the 2022 documentary 'Sarajevo Safari' by Slovenian director Miran Zupanič, which brought renewed attention to the long-rumored atrocities. The complaint, a 17-page dossier, was supported by former magistrate Guido Salvini and included a report from former Sarajevo Mayor Benjamina Karić, who has been actively collecting information on the matter. Gavazzeni stated that he first encountered reports of 'sniper tourists' in the Italian press in the 1990s but pursued a full investigation after watching the documentary.

Legal and Historical Context

The allegations describe a chilling form of 'war tourism' where individuals, often described as gun enthusiasts or those with far-right sympathies, sought personal gratification by participating in the killing of unarmed civilians. The city of Sarajevo, situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, was particularly vulnerable to such attacks, with its main thoroughfare earning the grim nickname 'Sniper Alley.' While Serbia has denied the allegations, witnesses and investigators claim that intelligence services, including Italy's domestic security agency SISMI, may have been aware of these activities as early as 1993. The Milan District Attorney's Office is working to identify the Italian nationals involved, with the potential charges reflecting the extreme cruelty and reprehensible motives attributed to these acts.