Investigation Into Alleged “Sniper Tourism” During Bosnian War
Italian prosecutors have raised serious allegations against wealthy individuals, dubbed “sniper tourists,” who purportedly paid over $90,000 to shoot civilians during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1996. Prosecutors in Milan are claiming these tourists financially supported Bosnian Serb soldiers for what they called “human safaris” during the prolonged siege of Sarajevo.
The conflict emerged after Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia, leading to the longest siege in contemporary history. Over 10,000 lives were lost in Sarajevo due to relentless shelling and sniper fire during those brutal years.
Snipers became one of the most feared threats, randomly targeting people, including children, in the streets—making it eerily resemble a grim video game or safari experience. Reports suggest that a group of Italian nationals and others paid significant amounts to soldiers under former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. Karadzic was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity in 2016. These tourists were allegedly driven to the hills surrounding Sarajevo to engage in shooting civilians for amusement.
The layout of Sarajevo, being nestled in a basin surrounded by hills and forests, made sniper attacks notably easier. The investigation into these Italian nationals was sparked by a legal complaint from Milan-based author Ezio Gavazzeni, who has been gathering evidence to support his claims. Additionally, former Sarajevo mayor Benjamina Karic also provided information regarding the allegations.
Gavazzeni mentioned that he first heard about “sniper tourists” in Italian news during the ’90s but decided to delve deeper in preparation for the documentary release in 2022. A Slovenian director named Milan Zupanic highlighted that there were indeed Westerners who came to Sarajevo seeking to participate in the violence, although a Serbian military veteran has strongly denied these allegations.
“The Sarajevo safari was the starting point,” Gavazzeni remarked. “I began corresponding with the director, and from there we expanded the investigation until we had enough material to present to the Milan prosecutors.”
He indicated that many, perhaps countless Italians, in addition to Germans, French, and British nationals, allegedly participated in this horrific activity for hefty sums of money. These individuals were drawn not by any political or religious cause but simply for their own amusement, likening them to gun enthusiasts who enjoy shooting ranges or safaris in Africa. “There were war tourists coming and going there to shoot people,” he reflected, emphasizing a troubling “indifference to evil.”
Throughout the siege, snipers became a lethal presence, targeting civilians in numerous locations—buses, bridges, and key streets. Notably, Meša Selimovic Boulevard, a principal route to Sarajevo Airport, earned the grim nickname “Sniper Alley” due to the high frequency of sniper-related fatalities.
