Italian prosecutors have initiated an investigation into disturbing allegations of “sniper safaris” during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. Journalist Ezio Gavazzeni filed the complaint, claiming wealthy individuals from Western nations paid upwards of $90,000 to Bosnian Serb forces for the opportunity to shoot civilians in Sarajevo. Gavazzeni asserts these “sniper tourists,” motivated by personal gratification rather than political or religious ideologies, targeted men, women, and children, with an alleged additional fee for killing children. These allegations, first surfacing in Italian media in the 1990s, resurfaced following a 2022 documentary and insights from a former Bosnian intelligence officer, prompting Gavazzeni’s deeper investigation.
The Bosnian Consulate in Milan has expressed eagerness to uncover the truth and potentially close a painful chapter in history. A spokesperson for the consulate stated that they possess information to share with investigators, underscoring the gravity of the claims. These reports evoke the grim realities of urban warfare during the Bosnian War, a conflict marked by prolonged sieges and sniper fire that deliberately targeted civilians, leading to widespread casualties and lasting trauma. While the investigation is in its early stages, its findings could shed light on the extent of these alleged atrocities and the potential involvement of individuals seeking entertainment through acts of violence.