Italian 80-year-old arrested for Sarajevo 'sniper safari' war crimes

Italian Man Arrested for Alleged 'Sniper Safari' Participation During Sarajevo Siege

Italian authorities have arrested an 80-year-old former truck driver on suspicion of participating in the horrific 'sniper safari' phenomenon during the 1992-1995 siege of Sarajevo. The man, from Pordenone in northeastern Italy, is accused of paying to shoot at civilians for entertainment during one of the longest sieges in modern history.

The Gruesome Allegations

According to prosecutors in Milan, the suspect allegedly participated in what has become known as 'sniper tourism' - where wealthy foreigners reportedly paid Bosnian Serb forces large sums to shoot at civilians from hills surrounding the besieged Bosnian capital. 'He would have competed with others in executing a criminal plan, shooting defenseless civilians including women, children and the elderly,' stated the prosecutor's office.

The investigation was launched in November 2025 after journalist Ezio Gavazzeni filed a complaint based on evidence gathered over three decades. Gavazzeni was inspired to renew his investigation after watching the 2022 documentary 'Sarajevo Safari' by Slovenian director Miran Zupanič, which detailed the shocking allegations.

The Siege of Sarajevo Context

The siege of Sarajevo lasted from April 5, 1992, to February 29, 1996 - a staggering 1,425 days that made it the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare. According to Wikipedia, approximately 13,952 people were killed during the siege, including 5,434 civilians. The city was surrounded by Bosnian Serb forces under General Ratko Mladić, who would later be convicted of genocide and war crimes.

Snipers positioned in the surrounding hills targeted civilians attempting to cross what became known as 'Sniper Alley' - the main boulevard through the city where residents were forced to expose themselves to gunfire while moving between neighborhoods.

Two Types of 'Sniper Tourists'

Journalist Marianna Maiorino, who first reported on the suspect, describes him as representing a different type of participant than the wealthy elites typically associated with these atrocities. 'These are middle-class people who could easily be our neighbor,' she told Italian media. 'He loved hunting and weapons and went to Yugoslavia on weekends, but not to hunt animals: he shot people.'

According to Al Jazeera, wealthy participants allegedly paid between €80,000 and €100,000 (adjusted for inflation) for weekend shooting sessions, with different rates reportedly charged for killing children, men, women, and elderly people.

Ongoing Investigation and Evidence

During a raid on the suspect's home, police found five rifles and pistols, along with memorabilia from the era of Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. The suspect's connections as a truck driver with routes throughout former Yugoslavia may have facilitated his participation without significant financial resources.

'The investigation suggests authorities are taking action against those allegedly organizing or promoting such controversial tourism ventures that exploit traumatic historical events for entertainment or profit,' reported Reuters.

The suspect is scheduled to be questioned on Monday, with additional witnesses identified by journalist Gavazzeni expected to be interviewed in coming weeks. This represents the first arrest in what Italian prosecutors hope will be a broader investigation into Italian participation in these alleged war crimes.