Italian man questioned over Bosnian war ‘sniper tourism’
Italian man suspected of participating in a grotesque "sniper safari" scheme during the siege of Sarajevo was questioned by Milan prosecutors
MILAN (MNTV) – An 80-year-old Italian man suspected of participating in a grotesque “sniper safari” scheme during the siege of Sarajevo was questioned by Milan prosecutors on Monday.
The former truck driver from northeast Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region faces investigation for voluntary homicide with aggravating circumstances, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
His lawyer, Giovanni Menegon, told journalists his client answered questions and “reaffirmed his complete innocence.”
Milan prosecutors launched the investigation in October following allegations that wealthy foreigners—described as gun enthusiasts with far-right sympathies—paid Bosnian Serb forces to shoot civilians for sport during the 1992-1995 siege.
The alleged participants gathered in Trieste before traveling to hills surrounding Sarajevo.
According to previous reports, participants paid up to 100,000 euros per day for the opportunity.
During the nearly four-year siege beginning April 1992, official figures show 11,541 people were killed and over 50,000 wounded.
The suspect, described by Italian media as a hunting enthusiast nostalgic for fascism, allegedly boasted publicly about “man hunting.”
Freelance journalist Marianna Maiorino, who researched the allegations and was questioned as part of the investigation, told AFP that witness statements from the suspect’s village helped investigators.
“According to testimonies, he would tell friends at the village bar about what he did during the war in the Balkans,” she said.
The suspect told Messaggero Veneto newspaper Sunday he visited Bosnia “for work, not for hunting,” claiming his statements were exaggerated and expressing no concern.
The investigation stems from a complaint filed by Italian journalist Ezio Gavanezzi based on revelations in the 2022 documentary “Sarajevo Safari.”
Bosnia’s prosecutor’s office confirmed Friday that its war crimes department is investigating, having requested information from Italian authorities.
Sarajevo City Council authorized Mayor Samir Avdic last month to join criminal proceedings before Italian courts, supporting the prosecution.
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