The haunting memories of Sarajevo’s siege are once again making headlines, as shocking new allegations emerge about what some are calling “human safaris” during the conflict.
Reports suggest that wealthy foreign tourists paid to shoot unarmed civilians during the 1992–1996 siege, and controversy has intensified with claims that Serbia’s current president, Aleksandar Vučić, may have been involved.
Claims Against the Serbian President
Aleksandar Vučić, in office since 2017, has faced accusations of participating in expeditions where foreign visitors allegedly targeted civilians with sniper rifles.
Croatian investigative journalist Domagoj Margetic has filed a formal complaint with prosecutors in Milan, asserting that Vučić was directly involved and even helped facilitate these violent trips.
Margetic cites a video from 1993 purportedly showing Vučić carrying a sniper rifle at a Jewish cemetery that overlooked Sarajevo, which was reportedly used as a frontline sniper position.
The journalist further claims Vučić served as a “war volunteer” with the New Sarajevo Chetnik Detachment of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) under Slavko Aleksić.
Evidence and Testimonies
The accusations are bolstered by various sources.
Margetic references a 1994 interview in the Serbian magazine Duga, where Vučić admitted to volunteering in Serbian Sarajevo, though he insisted he was not affiliated with any political party.
Additionally, Serbian lawyer Čedomir Stojković has publicly urged Belgrade magistrates to open an investigation.
Former political figures like Vojislav Seselj and Bosnia’s defense minister, Zukan Helez, have provided testimonies claiming Vučić’s presence at military positions above Sarajevo, allegedly firing at civilians.
Vučić has consistently denied these allegations, claiming he worked as a journalist in nearby Pale and that objects seen in footage were umbrellas, not rifles.
Italian Investigation into “Sniper Tourism”
In Italy, prosecutors in Milan have launched an inquiry into foreign nationals allegedly paying between £70,000 and £88,000 to participate in the sniper attacks, with higher fees for targeting children.
Italian journalist Ezio Gavazzeni, who initiated the investigation, describes the participants as wealthy entrepreneurs seeking thrills in the midst of a brutal siege.
Prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis has been tasked with locating witnesses and gathering evidence for charges of murder aggravated by cruelty.
The investigation aims to shed light on what has long been rumoured: that tourists from Italy, the U.S., Canada, and Russia actively took part in killing civilians during the siege.
Survivor and Veteran Testimonies
Eyewitness accounts paint a chilling picture.
Former U.S. Marine John Jordan, who served as a UN firefighter in Sarajevo, testified to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia about civilians being deliberately targeted, often the youngest members of families.
While he did not personally witness foreigners taking shots, he observed armed outsiders guided by locals through Sarajevo, behaving differently from regular Serb fighters.
Other testimonies, including those featured in the 2022 documentary Sarajevo Safari by Slovenian director Miran Zupanič, describe foreigners transported from Trieste to Bosnian Serb-controlled areas, given military gear, and positioned to fire on civilians.
Witnesses recounted the detachment, preparation, and casual indifference of these “sniper tourists” toward the human suffering they caused.
Historical Context of Sarajevo’s Siege
Between 1992 and 1996, Sarajevo endured the longest siege of a modern capital, with over 10,000 people killed by shelling and sniper fire.
Main streets, such as Meša Selimović Boulevard, were notoriously nicknamed “Sniper Alley.”
The atrocities committed by the Bosnian Serb forces led to convictions of key figures like Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić for genocide and crimes against humanity.
Documented instances of foreigners shooting civilians during conflicts are not unprecedented.
Russian nationalist Eduard Limonov was filmed firing from a machine gun atop a besieged Sarajevo building alongside Karadžić, demonstrating the brutal environment in which such “safaris” could take place.
Continuing Controversy and Legal Efforts
The revelations about “sniper tourism” have reignited international attention, prompting U.S. congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna to investigate Americans potentially involved.
The Italian and Bosnian governments are cooperating to identify suspects and witnesses, highlighting the global reach of these allegations.
Despite this, Serbian war veterans and some political figures continue to dismiss the claims as fabricated.
Yet, the mounting testimonies, journalistic investigations, and official inquiries suggest that the dark reality of the Sarajevo siege still holds disturbing secrets, and the world is watching for accountability.
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