The probe follows a complaint by journalist and writer Ezio Gavazzeni, who says he obtained testimony and documents indicating that “war tourists” — including Italians and other nationalities — were taken from the port city of Trieste to Bosnia and Herzegovina to shoot at civilians during the siege of Sarajevo.
A former Bosnian military intelligence officer, cited in Italian press and television, told Gavazzeni that Italy’s military intelligence service knew about such trips from early 1994 and could have intervened.
According to the officer, it was Bosnian intelligence that moved to halt the practice, assuring counterparts that it would stop.
Gavazzeni says the material he handed to prosecutors suggests wealthy clients took part in what he describes as a “manhunt,” firing from Serb positions around Sarajevo.
Some accounts mention different fees for shooting at adult men, women or children, with Italians allegedly paying amounts now equivalent to about EUR 100,000.
The journalist told daily La Repubblica that his interest in the case was sparked by the 2022 documentary “Sarajevo Safari,” and that the number of suspected participants could be “at least one hundred.” He said sources indicated involvement by people from several countries, including the United States and Russia.
Among the documents submitted to prosecutors are a report by a former Sarajevo mayor and statements from a Bosnian military intelligence officer. Italian news agency Ansa reported that records may exist allowing investigators to identify some of the “weekend snipers,” although it is unclear whether they can be traced.
The Milan prosecutor’s office has opened a case on suspected murders committed with particular cruelty against multiple victims, with the investigation led by a prosecutor responsible for terrorism cases.
At least three Italians are believed to have travelled from Trieste to Sarajevo for this purpose, according to initial findings cited in Italian media.
More than 11,000 residents were killed during the four-year siege of Sarajevo, when the city was under continuous fire from Serb forces. Prosecutors are now examining the materials supplied by Gavazzeni as part of their inquiry.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24, Euronews