What's happened
Milan prosecutors are investigating allegations that foreigners paid Bosnian Serb forces during the 1992-95 siege of Sarajevo to shoot civilians for sport, a practice dubbed 'sniper safaris.' The probe follows a legal complaint and renewed public outrage over wartime atrocities.
What's behind the headline?
The investigation reveals disturbing implications about wartime profiteering and the complicity of foreign nationals in war crimes. The allegations suggest that during the siege, wealthy individuals from Italy and elsewhere paid Bosnian Serb forces to participate in 'sniper safaris,' turning civilian suffering into a form of entertainment or sport. This exposes a dark facet of wartime morality, where the boundaries of human decency were crossed for profit. The renewed focus on these allegations could lead to accountability for those involved, but it also raises questions about the extent of foreign involvement and the potential for justice decades after the conflict. The case underscores how wartime atrocities can linger in collective memory and how modern investigations can challenge narratives of impunity. The outcome will likely influence international war crimes accountability and the ongoing process of reconciliation in Bosnia and the Balkans.
What the papers say
The story is covered by Politico, The Independent, and Reuters, each emphasizing different aspects. Politico highlights the allegations and the Italian inquiry, noting that prosecutors are investigating claims of foreign 'sniper safaris' and potential charges of murder. The Independent provides context about the number of civilian casualties and public reactions, emphasizing local outrage and the historical significance of the siege. Reuters focuses on the procedural aspect of the investigation and the initial complaint by Ezio Gavazzeni, a journalist who was inspired by a documentary. While Politico and Reuters detail the investigation's scope, The Independent underscores the emotional and societal impact, illustrating a broad consensus on the gravity of these allegations.
How we got here
During the Bosnian War, Sarajevo endured a prolonged siege from 1992 to 1996, with over 11,000 civilians killed by shelling and sniper fire from Bosnian Serb positions. Allegations have long circulated that wealthy foreigners paid for 'sniper tourism,' allowing them to shoot at civilians from hillside vantage points. These claims gained renewed attention after a 2022 documentary and a legal complaint in Italy, prompting an investigation into whether such 'sniper safaris' occurred and who facilitated them.
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Sarajevo ( SARR-ə-YAY-voh) is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 275,524 in its administrative limits. The Sarajevo Canton, containing the city of Sarajevo and nearby municipalities, is home to 413,593 inhabitant