Full Breakdown
Investigation into Alleged "Sniper Tourism" During the Bosnian War
11/14/2025, 12:26:25 AM
Overview of the Investigation
The public prosecutor's office in Milan has initiated an investigation into allegations that wealthy individuals, including Italians, participated in "sniper safaris" during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1996. These individuals are accused of paying to shoot at civilians in Sarajevo, a city that endured a brutal siege resulting in over 11,000 deaths. The investigation was prompted by a 17-page report submitted by Italian journalist Ezio Gavazzeni, who gathered evidence and testimonies, including that of a Bosnian military intelligence officer.
Background & Context
The siege of Sarajevo, lasting 1,425 days, was marked by relentless shelling and sniper fire, with snipers targeting civilians indiscriminately. The city’s geographical layout, surrounded by hills, facilitated these attacks. Gavazzeni first encountered reports of sniper tourism in the 1990s but reignited his investigation after watching the 2022 documentary "Sarajevo Safari," which detailed claims of foreign nationals engaging in these activities.
Allegations of Sniper Tourism
Gavazzeni's findings suggest that participants, described as "hobby snipers," traveled from Italy, the United States, and Russia, among other countries, to engage in shooting civilians. Reports indicate that these tourists were charged varying fees based on their targets, with children reportedly costing more. The alleged trips were organized from Trieste, Italy, with participants being escorted to sniper positions by Bosnian Serb forces.
Official Statements & Responses
Ezio Gavazzeni stated, “We are talking about people who love guns who perhaps go to shooting ranges or on safaris in Africa.” He emphasized that the motivations behind these actions were not political or religious but rather for personal gratification. Former Sarajevo mayor Benjamina Karic, who supported Gavazzeni's complaint, expressed her horror at the allegations, stating, “That rich people came to Sarajevo on weekends to kill our children — it’s the darkest thing one can imagine.”
Criticism & Opposition
Serbian war veterans have vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them as baseless. They argue that the claims lack substantial evidence and have been dismissed as "absolute and heinous lies." Tim Judah, a British journalist, acknowledged the possibility of such activities but suggested that they would have been limited in scale.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Gavazzeni's report includes testimonies and evidence, the extent of the alleged sniper tourism remains unclear. Some sources suggest that the number of participants may not have been large, while others indicate that the phenomenon could involve around 100 individuals. The investigation is ongoing, and no specific names have been publicly identified yet.
What's Next
The Milan prosecutor's office, led by counter-terrorism prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis, is expected to pursue further inquiries, including questioning individuals identified in Gavazzeni's report. The investigation could potentially lead to the first trials of European citizens involved in war crimes related to the Bosnian War, as the legal framework for such actions is being explored.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Sarajevo Safari was the starting point,” — Ezio Gavazzeni, Journalist
- “The evidence accumulated after a long investigation [by Gavazzeni] is well substantiated and could lead to serious investigation to identify the culprits. There is also the report from the former Sarajevo mayor.” — Nicola Brigida, Lawyer
- “An entire team of tireless people are fighting to have this complaint heard,” — Benjamina Karic, Former Mayor of Sarajevo
