MILAN / SARAJEVO — Prosecutors in Milan have opened an investigation into claims that wealthy individuals from Western countries paid tens of thousands of dollars to participate in so-called “sniper safaris” during the 1992–1996 siege of Sarajevo, according to reports from The Guardian, El País and other outlets.
What the Allegations Say
- Journalist and writer Ezio Gavazzeni filed a formal complaint with Milan’s public prosecutor, claiming that foreign nationals—including Italians, Germans, French and English—paid €80,000 to €100,000 (approx. $93,000-$116,000) for weekend trips to participate in sniper attacks on civilians in Sarajevo.
- According to the complaint, participants were flown from Trieste, Italy, to Belgrade, then escorted into hills surrounding Sarajevo by Bosnian Serb forces where they allegedly shot innocent men, women and children.
- The complaint claims that there was even a price list for different targets—with higher fees reportedly charged to shoot children.
- Gavazzeni said the participants had no political or religious motivation. “They were rich people who went there for fun and personal satisfaction… We are talking about people who love guns who perhaps go to shooting ranges or on safari in Africa,” he said.
Scope & Status of the Investigation
- The investigation, led by Milan prosecutor Alessandro Gobbi, is currently listed as “voluntary homicide aggravated by cruelty and abject motives.”
- The Bosnian Consulate in Milan has expressed full cooperation, stating, “We are impatient to discover the truth about such a cruel matter in order to close a chapter of history.”
- While the allegations are alarming, Serbian war veterans and some historians have denied the “sniper tourism” claims, calling them unproven.
Historical Context
- Sarajevo was under siege from 1992 to 1996, during which more than 11,000 civilians were killed and sniper-fire along routes like “Sniper Alley” became a notorious symbol of the conflict.
- The allegations reference this period and suggest that the “tourists” exploited the chaos and devastation of war for thrills.
What We Still Don’t Know
- There are no publicly named defendants as of yet, and no verified list of participants has been released.
- Records, documentation and detailed evidence behind the claims remain under investigation; many of the allegations are based on testimony and archival material yet to be fully vetted.
- Legal experts note that uncovering evidence more than 30 years later in a conflict-zone context will present substantial challenges.
