Revelations by journalists about the existence of a sinister network that brought millions of dollars of European “tourists” to Sarajevo to take part in civilian hunts during the Bosnian war shocked Europe, especially Italy, which decided to launch an investigation to find out who took part in the brutal “safari.”
The Milan public prosecutor’s office filed charges of “aggravated voluntary manslaughter” against the “weekend sniper.” He was an Italian national who paid Bosnian Serb militia to shoot civilians, including children, from the hills surrounding the city during the siege of Sarajevo.
safari mechanic. These “war tourists” were mostly far-right supporters, gun enthusiasts, and wealthy people. Between 1993 and 1995, they paid to kill defenseless civilians “for pleasure”, according to information revealed by La Repubblica newspaper. ” They met in Trieste in northern Italy and were taken from there to the hilly region surrounding Sarajevo.
Authoritarians don’t like this
The practice of professional and critical journalism is a fundamental pillar of democracy. That is why it bothers those who believe that they are the owners of the truth.
From there they gained access to Republika Srpska military positions and gained privileged firing positions over the city. According to Il Giornale, they paid the current equivalent of 100,000 euros (approximately $116,400) for the horrific experience, but it is estimated that the cost would be even higher for shooting children.
revelation. The investigation began after the filing by Italian journalist and author Ezio Gavanezzi, who was supported by former Sarajevo mayor Benjamina Kalik, who filed a similar case in 2022. The information collected by Karic also contributed to the documentary Sarajevo Safari.
The 17-page complaint alleges that “documentary content and witness statements” provide “a well-founded suspicion that there were individuals within the Republika Srpska army who organized ‘trips’ for wealthy foreigners.”
Gavazzeni told La Repubblica newspaper that Bosnia had shelved the case, citing the difficulties inherent in a still divided country, while Serbia had dismissed the case as a “metropolitan legend”. In the face of this blockade, he decided to further his research in Italy.
It is unclear how many Italian “snipers” took part in the attack. In an interview with La Repubblica newspaper, Gavanezzi estimated there were “at least 100 people”, but Il Giornale raised that number to about 200. Their identities and numbers are not accurate, but shooters from other countries may have joined them.
According to official statistics, during the siege of Sarajevo from 1992 to 1996, Bosnian Serb forces killed 11,541 residents and injured more than 50,000 others.
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