In a shocking revelation that has stirred outrage across Europe, the Milan Prosecutor’s Office has launched an official investigation into disturbing allegations that Italian citizens traveled to Bosnia-Herzegovina during the early 1990s to participate in so-called “sniper safaris.” According to these claims, wealthy individuals allegedly paid large sums of money to fire on innocent civilians trapped in the besieged city of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War.
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| Archive photo of Bosnian civilians hiding from bullets in an armored car during the war |
A Shocking Investigation
The case is currently being led by Italian prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis, who is reportedly examining the accusations under possible charges of murder. The investigation follows evidence included in a dossier containing the testimony of a Bosnian military intelligence officer, who stated that in late 1993, Bosnian authorities had discovered the involvement of several foreign nationals in sniper attacks on Sarajevo.
According to this testimony, Bosnian intelligence passed the information to the Italian secret service, SISMI, in early 1994. Months later, a chilling response allegedly came back: “We have stopped it. There will be no more safaris.”
If confirmed, this would indicate official awareness at the time and possibly even a cover-up by intelligence circles that sought to bury the scandal.
The Role of Ezio Gavazzeni and the “Sarajevo Safari” Documentary
Ezio Gavazzeni, known for his work covering terrorism, organized crime, and intelligence networks, began his investigation after the release of the Slovenian documentary “Sarajevo Safari” directed by Miran Zupanič. The film first brought global attention to the alleged practice of foreigners paying to shoot civilians during the Bosnian War.
The documentary revealed that participants may have come from several countries, including the United States, Russia, and Italy. Inspired by these revelations, Gavazzeni pursued his own inquiry and filed a criminal complaint in Italy.
In his report, Gavazzeni claims that as many as 100 individuals could have taken part in the so-called “safaris,” paying the equivalent of up to €100,000 in today’s money for the gruesome experience.
The Siege of Sarajevo: One of the Darkest Chapters in Modern Europe
To understand the gravity of these allegations, it’s important to remember the context of the Bosnian War and the siege of Sarajevo. Between 1992 and 1996, the city endured one of the longest sieges in modern history, lasting nearly four years.
Over 11,000 civilians — including more than 1,600 children — were killed by Serbian forces positioned in the hills. Civilians were routinely targeted by snipers and artillery fire as they tried to fetch water, go to school, or simply cross the street.
If proven true, the idea that wealthy foreigners traveled there to “hunt humans” for sport during such immense suffering represents a grotesque perversion of morality and humanity.
Doubts and Denials
Not everyone believes the story. Some British military veterans who served in Sarajevo as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission have publicly dismissed the allegations as an “urban myth of the war.” They argue that no such organized sniper tourism ever came to their attention during the conflict.
However, Italian investigators appear to be taking the case seriously. Witnesses have been identified, and further interviews are planned to establish whether the so-called “sniper safaris” were indeed real — and whether any Italian citizens can be criminally charged.
Possible International Implications
Should these allegations be proven, the implications could be enormous. It would mean that foreigners from Western countries knowingly participated in war crimes, and that European authorities might have ignored or suppressed evidence of their involvement.
This would not only reopen old wounds from the Bosnian War, but also raise urgent questions about how much was known by Western intelligence services at the time.
The Italian public has reacted with horror and disbelief. Many are calling for full transparency and justice, demanding that the names of those involved be made public if the allegations are confirmed.
The Road Ahead
For now, the Milan prosecutor’s office continues its preliminary investigation, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Legal experts note that given the passage of more than 30 years, bringing charges may prove difficult — but moral accountability remains essential.
The case also underscores the enduring trauma of the Bosnian War and the importance of truth and justice for the victims of Sarajevo, whose suffering remains one of the darkest chapters in recent European history.
Whether the “sniper safaris” were real or a monstrous rumor, the fact that such allegations are even plausible is a stark reminder of how far human cruelty can go when war dehumanizes its victims.