Milan Prosecutors Investigate Alleged 'Sniper Tourism' During Siege of Sarajevo

Investigation Launched into 'Sniper Tourism' Allegations

Prosecutors in Milan have initiated a formal investigation into disturbing allegations that Italian citizens paid Bosnian Serb soldiers for 'sniper tourism' trips to shoot civilians during the brutal Siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s. The probe aims to identify individuals who allegedly participated in these 'human safaris', where wealthy foreigners reportedly paid to target and kill unarmed residents of the besieged Bosnian capital.

Origins of the Inquiry and Key Figures

The investigation, led by Prosecutor Alessandro Gobbi, was prompted by a legal complaint submitted by Ezio Gavazzeni, a Milan-based writer. Gavazzeni, who specializes in terrorism and mafia, first encountered reports of 'sniper tourism' in the Italian press during the 1990s but intensified his research after watching the 2022 documentary 'Sarajevo Safari' by Slovenian director Miran Zupanič. The documentary featured testimonies from a former Serb soldier and a contractor claiming that Westerners shot at civilians from the hills surrounding Sarajevo. A report from former Sarajevo mayor Benjamina Karić also contributed to the evidence presented to prosecutors. The charges being considered include voluntary murder aggravated by cruelty and abject motives.

The Alleged 'Human Safaris'

According to the allegations, individuals from various Western countries, including Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Russia, paid substantial sums to Bosnian Serb forces to participate in these 'human hunting' excursions. Reports suggest that the cost for such participation could range from €80,000 to €100,000 in today's terms. Testimonies indicate a disturbing pricing structure, with higher fees for targeting children, followed by men and women in military uniforms, while killing the elderly was allegedly 'free'. Participants reportedly traveled from cities like Trieste, Italy, to Belgrade, Serbia, before being transported to sniper positions in the hills overlooking Sarajevo, often under the guidance of local Serbian soldiers. These individuals are described as 'gun lovers' or 'far-right figures' seeking personal satisfaction rather than having political or religious motives.

The Siege of Sarajevo: A Historical Context

The alleged 'sniper tourism' occurred during the Siege of Sarajevo, which lasted from April 5, 1992, to February 29, 1996. This 1,425-day blockade by Bosnian Serb forces is recognized as the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare. During this period, Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was encircled by Bosnian Serb troops who occupied the surrounding hills, from which they relentlessly shelled and fired upon the city. Over 11,000 civilians were killed, including approximately 1,600 children, and more than 50,000 people were wounded. The city's main thoroughfare became infamously known as 'Sniper Alley' due to the constant threat of sniper fire.

Significance of the Investigation

While rumors of 'sniper tourism' circulated during and after the Bosnian War, the Milan investigation represents one of the first major formal criminal probes into these allegations. Prosecutors are actively working to identify and interrogate witnesses and suspects, with the hope of bringing those responsible for these alleged atrocities to justice.