Investigation Launched into Alleged 'Sniper Tourism' During Bosnian War
Prosecutors in Milan have launched a probe into Italians who allegedly paid Bosnian Serb soldiers to shoot at civilians during the city's four-year siege in the 1990s. The allegations, which date back to the Bosnian war, claim that groups of wealthy individuals from Western countries, including Italy, Germany, and France, would pay large sums of money to be taken to the hills surrounding Sarajevo, where they would shoot at civilians for pleasure.
According to a Milan-based writer, Ezio Gavazzeni, who gathered evidence on the allegations, these "sniper tourists" were motivated by a desire for excitement and entertainment, rather than any political or religious agenda. He claims that many Italians, as well as individuals from other Western countries, were involved in this alleged activity.
The investigation is based on a report submitted to prosecutors by Benjamina Karić, the former mayor of Sarajevo, as well as documentation from a 2022 documentary film called "Sarajevo Safari". The film claims that groups of westerners would shoot at civilians from the hills around Sarajevo, but its claims have been disputed by some Serbian war veterans.
Prosecutors are now set to question individuals allegedly involved in this alleged activity, who may face charges of voluntary murder aggravated by cruelty and abject motives. The investigation has shed new light on one of the most brutal aspects of the Bosnian war, where snipers were used to kill civilians at random, often with devastating consequences.
The case highlights the need for accountability and justice in cases of human rights abuses, particularly during times of conflict. As one lawyer noted, "the evidence accumulated after a long investigation is well substantiated and could lead to serious investigations to identify the culprits". The prosecution of these alleged perpetrators is seen as an important step towards confronting the darkest aspects of human history.
Prosecutors in Milan have launched a probe into Italians who allegedly paid Bosnian Serb soldiers to shoot at civilians during the city's four-year siege in the 1990s. The allegations, which date back to the Bosnian war, claim that groups of wealthy individuals from Western countries, including Italy, Germany, and France, would pay large sums of money to be taken to the hills surrounding Sarajevo, where they would shoot at civilians for pleasure.
According to a Milan-based writer, Ezio Gavazzeni, who gathered evidence on the allegations, these "sniper tourists" were motivated by a desire for excitement and entertainment, rather than any political or religious agenda. He claims that many Italians, as well as individuals from other Western countries, were involved in this alleged activity.
The investigation is based on a report submitted to prosecutors by Benjamina Karić, the former mayor of Sarajevo, as well as documentation from a 2022 documentary film called "Sarajevo Safari". The film claims that groups of westerners would shoot at civilians from the hills around Sarajevo, but its claims have been disputed by some Serbian war veterans.
Prosecutors are now set to question individuals allegedly involved in this alleged activity, who may face charges of voluntary murder aggravated by cruelty and abject motives. The investigation has shed new light on one of the most brutal aspects of the Bosnian war, where snipers were used to kill civilians at random, often with devastating consequences.
The case highlights the need for accountability and justice in cases of human rights abuses, particularly during times of conflict. As one lawyer noted, "the evidence accumulated after a long investigation is well substantiated and could lead to serious investigations to identify the culprits". The prosecution of these alleged perpetrators is seen as an important step towards confronting the darkest aspects of human history.
it's like something out of a horror movie, right? Sniper tourism? Can you even believe that people would pay to shoot at innocent civilians? It's sickening 
. I remember watching the news and seeing all these devastating images from Bosnia during the war, it was like we were living through it in real time 
. And now this investigation is shedding light on some of the darkest moments of human history... it's just mind-boggling 
. I hope they catch all those involved and bring them to justice, it's long overdue 
.
this is so messed up... can you even imagine paying to shoot at innocent people? it's like they're desensitizing themselves from humanity... and what really gets me is that they were doing it for entertainment, like some twisted form of thrill-seeking. 
and then you got these guys who are trying to make a profit off this stuff, like it's some kinda game or something 
it's just wrong, you know? and now we gotta hold them accountable for their actions? yeah, that's a step in the right direction 
at least someone's finally gonna get to the bottom of this 
people pay for some1 to shoot at innocent civilians 
its about time someone held accountable for such heinous acts 
. Like, what's next? Paying someone to watch paint dry? I'm shocked no one got hurt during these 'sniper safaris'... just kidding, they did 
. Anyway, good on the prosecutors for looking into this and bringing some accountability to these human rights abusers 
.
this stuff gives me chills. Can't believe there were people willing to pay good money to shoot innocent civilians just for kicks. It's like they thought war was some kind of video game 
. I'm glad someone is finally holding these alleged perpetrators accountable 
. It's like we're still dealing with the aftermath of those atrocities today 
.
These "sniper tourists" sound like some crazy fantasy novel characters, not real people who actually did stuff. And what's with the documentary film claiming it all happened? That just sounds like some agenda-driven nonsense to me... 
Let's focus on more pressing issues in 2025, you know?
. I think its awesome that prosecutors are takin on this case & tryna bring justice to those who suffered so much. Its a reminder that our actions have consequences, not just for us but for others too. Let's hope these ppl get the accountability they deserve 
Either way, I guess it's a step in the right direction, right? 
these individuals need to be held accountable for their actions and face justice 
I'm glad that prosecutors are taking this case seriously and that the former mayor of Sarajevo is speaking out about it 
i dont know if im shocked or sad but i think its great that prosecutors are taking this seriously & trying to bring these people to justice 
. It's crazy how this investigation is bringing up the fact that humans can do some pretty terrible things when given the chance 
.