Full Breakdown
Milan Aristocrat and Others Investigated for Alleged “Sniper Tourism” in Sarajevo
6/19/2026, 5:34:06 AM
Alleged Sniper Tourism in Sarajevo
Italian prosecutors are probing claims that a Milan aristocrat and other foreigners paid to join Bosnian Serb sniper units and fire at civilians during the 1992-95 siege. The probe follows a legal complaint by journalist Ezio Gavazzeni.
Siege Background
The siege of Sarajevo (April 1992-February 1996) caused over 11,000 civilian deaths from shelling and sniper fire. The notion of foreign “human safaris” entered public debate through the documentary *Sarajevo Safari* and Gavazzeni’s book *Weekend Snipers*.
Main Actors
Key individuals include the unnamed Milan aristocrat; a 66-year-old former municipal employee from Genoa whose home yielded a silencer and rifle photo; an 80-year-old former truck driver; prosecutors Alessandro Gobbis and Marcello Viola; journalist Ezio Gavazzeni; and former Serbian volunteer Aleksandar Licanin.
Numbers and Evidence
Prosecutors have placed five people under investigation, spoken to four suspects and 20 witnesses, and seized a silencer and a permit photo. Alleged payments for sniper trips reached up to $90,000 per participant, with reports of extra fees for targeting women and children.
Official Prosecutorial View
A source with direct knowledge told Reuters, “Very frankly, at this moment the prosecutors could never ask for any of the suspects to be sent to trial,” noting only circumstantial evidence. The same source added, “The hope is that the meeting with foreign colleagues and further investigations will bring additional elements.” Prosecutors will meet Belgian and Bosnian counterparts at Eurojust in Luxembourg on June 29.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics label the alleged excursions “human safari” killings, citing claims that participants sought to shoot women, children and pregnant women for higher payment. Gavazzeni reports the aristocrat bragged about such trips at dinner parties.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on the number of suspects—some cite five under investigation, others four questioned. No concrete proof of a coordinated “hidden network” in Milan has emerged, and the alleged kill-tallies remain unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Very frankly, at this moment the prosecutors could never ask for any of the suspects to be sent to trial,” — Source with direct knowledge, Reuters
- “The hope is that the meeting with foreign colleagues and further investigations will bring additional elements,” — Source with direct knowledge, Reuters
- “I was approached by a witness who reported the aristocrat had boasted to friends about the safari more than once over dinner,” — Ezio Gavazzeni, investigative writer
- “They wore expensive leather jackets and I was told they were Italians, Germans and British,” — Aleksandar Licanin, former Serbian tank unit volunteer
What’s Next
The Eurojust session on June 29 will allow Italian, Belgian and Bosnian prosecutors to exchange evidence and possibly expand the inquiry. Authorities indicate further forensic and testimonial collection may determine whether formal charges can be pursued.
