Milan prosecutors investigate alleged ‘sniper tourism’ during Bosnian war
Italian prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into allegations that groups of Italians and other foreigners paid Bosnian Serb troops to act as "sniper tourists" during the 1992-96 siege of Sarajevo. The case stems from a complaint by writer Ezio Gavazzeni and a report from former Sarajev…
Prosecutors in Milan have launched a formal inquiry into accusations that wealthy tourists from Italy and other Western nations paid members of the Bosnian Serb army to accompany them on trips to the hills surrounding Sarajevo, where they allegedly shot at civilians for sport during the city’s four‑year siege (1992‑1996). The investigation, headed by magistrate Alessandro Gobbi, focuses on charges of voluntary murder aggravated by cruelty and motives deemed abject.
Background to the siege and the alleged "sniper tourism"
When Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, Bosnian Serb forces under the command of Radovan Karadžić laid siege to the capital, Sarajevo. Over 1,400 days of artillery bombardment and constant sniper fire claimed more than 10,000 lives, making it the longest siege in modern European history. The city sits in a basin encircled by mountains, a geography that allowed snipers to dominate the streets and create a climate of terror. Main thoroughfares such as Meša Selimović Boulevard earned the nickname "Sniper Alley" because civilians could not avoid them without risking death.
In the 1990s, rumors began to surface in Italian media about foreign “sniper tourists” who allegedly paid large sums to Bosnian Serb soldiers to be taken to the outskirts of Sarajevo and fire at the civilian population. The claim was that these tourists treated the killing as a perverse sport, likening it to a safari or a video‑game experience. No official figures were ever released, but the narrative persisted, especially after the 2022 documentary Sarajevo Safari by Slovenian director Miran Zupanič, which featured a former Serb soldier and a private contractor asserting that such groups existed.
How the investigation began
The Milan case originated from a legal complaint filed by Ezio Gavazzeni, a Milan‑based writer who spent years gathering testimonies, documents, and media reports about the alleged phenomenon. Gavazzeni said he first encountered the story in Italian press coverage during the war, but it was the documentary that prompted him to pursue a systematic inquiry. He corresponded with director Zupanič, collected statements from alleged witnesses, and compiled a dossier that he submitted to the public prosecutor’s office.
Adding weight to the complaint, former Sarajevo mayor Benjamina Karić sent a separate report to the Milan prosecutors, confirming that she had received information about foreign individuals paying to join Bosnian Serb units for the purpose of shooting civilians. Both submissions prompted magistrate Gobbi to open a probe aimed at identifying the Italian nationals and any other foreign participants.
Alleged logistics of the sniper trips
According to Gavazzeni’s findings, the alleged tourists would convene in the northern Italian city of Trieste, then travel to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. From there, Bosnian Serb soldiers—some of whom had served under Karadžić’s command—were said to escort the groups to the hills that overlook Sarajevo. Once positioned, the tourists could allegedly fire at the city’s streets, targeting random pedestrians, children, and even couples, as depicted in the iconic photograph of Boško Brkić and Admira Ismić killed on a bridge in 1993.
Gavazzeni emphasized that the motive appeared to be purely recreational, describing the participants as “rich people who love guns” rather than individuals driven by political or religious ideology. He claimed that nationals from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries were also implicated, though he did not provide exact numbers.
Legal and evidentiary challenges
Prosecutors now face the task of corroborating the allegations with concrete evidence. The primary sources are Gavazzeni’s compiled dossier, the report from Karić, and any surviving witnesses or documents from the 1990s. Serbian war veterans have publicly denied the existence of “sniper tourists,” calling the claims “fabrications.” Defense lawyer Nicola Brigida, who assisted Gavazzeni, argues that the accumulated evidence is “well‑substantiated” and could lead to arrests and interrogations in the coming weeks.
Because the alleged crimes occurred more than three decades ago, investigators must navigate statutes of limitations, the availability of forensic evidence, and the willingness of former combatants to testify. International cooperation with Serbian and Bosnian authorities will be essential, especially to trace any financial transactions that may have funded the trips.
Potential implications and next steps
If the investigation yields indictments, it could set a precedent for prosecuting war‑time atrocities committed by civilians who acted as mercenaries for profit. It would also reopen painful memories for Sarajevo survivors, many of whom still grapple with the trauma of random sniper attacks that turned everyday life into a lethal gamble.
Authorities have indicated that identified Italian suspects will be summoned for questioning in the coming weeks. The case remains open, and further details are expected as prosecutors examine the dossier, interview witnesses, and request assistance from foreign law‑enforcement agencies.
Why it matters
The probe could hold accountable foreign participants in war crimes, highlighting that profiteering from conflict is punishable under international law.
Key points
- Milan prosecutors opened a murder investigation into alleged Italian "sniper tourists" during the Sarajevo siege
- The case stems from a complaint by writer Ezio Gavazzeni and a report from former Sarajevo mayor Benjamina Karić
- Alleged tourists reportedly paid Bosnian Serb soldiers to transport them to hills overlooking Sarajevo for recreational shooting
- Serbian war veterans deny the claims; evidence includes a 2022 documentary and compiled dossiers
- If proven, the case would set a precedent for prosecuting civilians who profit from war crimes
Frequently asked questions
What is "sniper tourism" in the context of the Sarajevo siege?
It refers to alleged trips organized for wealthy foreigners who paid Bosnian Serb soldiers to take them to sniper positions around Sarajevo so they could shoot at civilians for sport.
Who initiated the investigation in Milan?
Writer Ezio Gavazzeni filed a legal complaint and provided a dossier of evidence, which was supplemented by a report from former Sarajevo mayor Benjamina Karić.
Has any suspect been arrested yet?
No arrests have been reported; prosecutors say identified Italian suspects will be questioned in the coming weeks.
Why do Serbian veterans deny the allegations?
They claim the reports are unfounded and that no such organized trips for foreign tourists ever occurred during the war.
What could be the legal outcome if the allegations are proven?
Those involved could face charges of voluntary murder, aggravated by cruelty, and potentially be tried under Italian and international war‑crimes statutes.
