File photo courtesy of The Telegraph

 

Italy has launched an investigation into allegations that Italian nationals participated in so-called "sniper safaris" during the Bosnian War in the early '90s. These claims suggest that wealthy individuals paid hefty sums to target civilians from Serb-held positions surrounding Sarajevo. The Milan prosecutor's office is examining evidence provided by journalist Ezio Gavazzeni, which includes testimony from a Bosnian military intelligence officer.

 

During the four-year siege of Sarajevo, over 11,000 people lost their lives amid constant shelling and sniper attacks. The brutal conflict saw Yugoslavia fracturing, with Sarajevo encircled by Serb forces. Allegations similar to those made by Gavazzeni have been voiced before, but this time, Italian counter-terrorism prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis is seeking to substantiate the claims, with the investigation focusing on charges of murder.

 

Gavazzeni's evidence incorporates reports of "safaris" revealed by a Bosnian officer in late 1993, who informed Italian intelligence in early 1994. It’s reported that the trips ceased a few months after Italy's involvement. Gavazzeni, intrigued by stories he first encountered decades ago and inspired by a 2022 documentary, compiled a detailed report, now under scrutiny by Italian authorities.

 

Italian investigators are working through witness lists to identify those potentially involved. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, some British forces stationed in Sarajevo during the '90s have dismissed the notion of "sniper tourism" as an "urban myth." They argue that logistical challenges, such as numerous checkpoints, would have hindered such activities, and they assert seeing no evidence of it at the time.

 

Looking forward, Italian prosecutors and police are methodically piecing together the narrative, seeking clarity on the alleged acts. While investigations in Bosnia appear to have hit a wall, Italy is pushing forward, determined to uncover the truth behind these shocking claims.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Italian prosecutors investigate claims of "sniper safaris" in Bosnia.
• Evidence includes testimony from a Bosnian officer and journalist Ezio Gavazzeni's findings.
• British forces stationed in Sarajevo deny witnessing any such activities.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-11-13

 

 

There are sure some psycho sickos in the world.

It was a bit of an open secret. The "tour groups" were staying at various repurposed ski lodges in the mountains around Sarajevo. 

 

The French Foreign Legion put a stop to it, a couple of well sited ambushes on the trails leading to the firing points and the sick bastards took up trainspotting as a safer hobby!

Sickened, but sadly not surprised.

A few more snippets of information into the ongoing investigation:

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/foreigners-paid-shoot-civilians-sarajevo-bosnia-war-b2863505.html

 

https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-11-11/human-safaris-in-sarajevo-milan-investigates-1990s-trips-where-tourists-allegedly-paid-to-kill-civilians.html

 

https://www.rferl.org/a/italy-probe-bosnian-war-human-safari-snipers-murder/33591128.html

 

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/sniper-tourism-italians-paid-serb-army-to-kill-civilians-during-sarajevo-siege-probe-under-way/ar-AA1QhbeO

 

Unbelievable ?  Well, read this:

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/karadzic/atrocities/omarska2.html