Italy investigates 'war tourists' who allegedly shot Bosnian civilians in 1990s

Italian judicial authorities have initiated a formal investigation into allegations that Italian citizens participated in sniper attacks against Bosnian civilians during the 1992-1995 war as paid "war tourists." The Milan Public Prosecutor's Office is examining claims that individuals traveled to Bosnia-Herzegovina to join Serb military units and deliberately target non-combatants during the Siege of Sarajevo.'

Weekend Sniper' Allegations

According to Italian media reports, the suspects allegedly operated as "weekend snipers," departing from Trieste on Friday evenings to spend weekends participating in military operations before returning to Italy. The individuals, described as far-right extremists rather than professional soldiers, reportedly paid between €80,000-€100,000 for the opportunity to join Serb forces in targeting civilians during the prolonged Sarajevo siege.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

Prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis has opened a case for aggravated intentional homicide, citing evidence that the killings were committed with particular cruelty and malicious intent. The investigation currently targets unidentified suspects, with the inquiry prompted by a formal complaint filed by journalist and author Ezio Gavazzeni, who obtained information from Bosnian military security services.

Historical Context and Impact

The alleged incidents occurred during the 44-month Siege of Sarajevo, during which Serb forces surrounded and systematically attacked the Bosnian capital. The conflict resulted in over 11,500 civilian fatalities, including 1,601 children, with extensive damage to the city's infrastructure and cultural heritage. Recent evidence continues to emerge regarding wartime atrocities, including previously unseen images of sniper attacks on civilians that surfaced in 2021.