Milan Prosecutors Investigate Alleged 'Sniper Safaris' During Bosnian War
The public prosecutor's office in Milan has initiated an investigation into claims that Italian citizens traveled to Bosnia-Herzegovina on "sniper safaris" during the conflict in the early 1990s. These allegations suggest that individuals paid substantial amounts to target and shoot civilians within the besieged city of Sarajevo.
Details of the Complaint
Journalist and novelist Ezio Gavazzeni filed the complaint, describing a "manhunt" where affluent individuals with an interest in weaponry allegedly paid to kill unarmed civilians from Serb positions located in the hills surrounding Sarajevo. Reports indicate that different rates were purportedly charged based on the age and gender of the targets.
During the four-year siege of Sarajevo, over 11,000 people died. The city was encircled by Serb forces and subjected to consistent shelling and sniper fire.
Evidence and Prior Information
While similar allegations regarding foreign participants in such activities have surfaced over the years, the current evidence gathered by Gavazzeni—which includes testimony from a Bosnian military intelligence officer—is now being examined by Italian counter-terrorism prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis. The charge under investigation is murder.
The Bosnian officer reportedly revealed that his Bosnian colleagues became aware of these alleged safaris in late 1993 and subsequently provided this information to Italy's Sismi military intelligence in early 1994. A response from Sismi reportedly indicated that the "safari" trips, which involved flying from Trieste in northern Italy and then traveling to the hills above Sarajevo, had been stopped. The alleged trips ceased within two to three months of this intervention.
Journalist's Motivation
Ezio Gavazzeni, known for his work on terrorism and the mafia, first encountered reports of sniper tours to Sarajevo three decades ago in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, although without firm evidence at the time. He revisited the topic after viewing the 2022 documentary film "Sarajevo Safari" by Slovenian director Miran Zupanic. This film alleges the involvement of individuals from several countries, including the United States, Russia, and Italy. Gavazzeni proceeded with further investigation and submitted his findings, a 17-page file including a report by former Sarajevo mayor Benjamina Karic, to prosecutors in February.