A disturbing investigation has rocked Sarajevo and the international community, as new evidence emerges of so-called "human safaris"—alleged war tourism where foreigners paid to shoot at civilians during the Bosnian War. The scandal, which has come to light through a combination of legal action, journalistic investigation, and witness testimony, is forcing a painful reckoning with one of the darkest chapters in the city’s history.
The Chilling Allegations: Foreigners Paid to Hunt Civilians
According to recent reports, Italian prosecutors are actively investigating claims that, during the 1990s siege of Sarajevo, individuals from Italy and other countries—including the US, UK, Russia, and Japan—paid Serb-Bosnian militias for the opportunity to shoot at civilians from the hills surrounding the city. These so-called "sniper tourists" allegedly treated the war zone as a grotesque form of entertainment, with some even boasting about targeting children as a greater challenge.
A former Bosnian intelligence agent, now a key witness, claims to have informed Italy’s intelligence agency (SISMI) about these organized trips as early as 1993. The Milan Attorney General’s Office has since opened a formal investigation, delegating the case to Italy’s anti-terrorism unit, and is reviewing files from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) that reference these war tourists.
Evidence Mounts: Testimonies and International Response
The investigation is being driven by a coalition of a writer and two lawyers experienced in international cases, who have submitted extensive documentation to Italian authorities. Notably, the former mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karić, has provided formal testimony to support the case.
Journalist Ezio Gavazzeni and lawyer Nicola Brigida have been at the forefront, stating that the evidence is "well substantiated and could lead to serious investigation to identify the culprits". The allegations are not entirely new—previous testimonies at the ICTY, including that of a former US marine, referenced "tourist shooters" who came to Sarajevo for the thrill of targeting civilians. One notorious case involved Russian nationalist Eduard Limonov, who was filmed firing at the city alongside Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadžić.
Sarajevo Today: A City Still Healing
While Sarajevo has rebuilt much of its infrastructure and remains the political and cultural heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the scars of the war are still visible. Shrapnel marks and memorials dot the city, serving as constant reminders of the 1,425-day siege and the thousands of lives lost. The population has yet to fully recover, and the city’s landscape still bears the wounds of its violent past.
Recent efforts by international organizations, such as the OSCE, highlight ongoing work to strengthen democratic institutions and promote stability in the region. However, the "human safari" revelations have reignited trauma and raised urgent questions about justice and accountability.
What Happens Next?
The Milan Attorney General’s Office is now working to identify suspects, with hopes that at least one name will soon emerge, potentially accelerating the investigation and bringing long-awaited justice to the victims. The case is also prompting renewed scrutiny of international complicity and the need for robust mechanisms to prevent such atrocities in future conflicts.
For Sarajevo, the investigation is a stark reminder of the horrors endured during the war—and a call to the world to confront uncomfortable truths, no matter how much time has passed.
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