What did the Italians allegedly do during the Sarajevo siege?

The Italians, described as wealthy and right-wing gun enthusiasts, allegedly paid the Bosnian Serb army to allow them to shoot at civilians from army positions overlooking the city of Sarajevo.

How much did the Italians pay the Bosnian Serb army?

The Italians reportedly paid up to the equivalent of 100,000 euros per day to the Bosnian Serb forces to shoot at civilians below them.

What was the impact of the Sarajevo siege?

The nearly four-year siege of Sarajevo, which began in April 1992, resulted in the deaths of 11,541 men, women, and children, with more than 50,000 wounded, according to official figures.

Home / War and Conflict / Wealthy Italians Paid to Shoot Civilians During Sarajevo Siege

Wealthy Italians Paid to Shoot Civilians During Sarajevo Siege

14 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Prosecutors investigating Italians who paid Bosnian Serb army to shoot civilians
Suspects were wealthy, right-wing gun enthusiasts who traveled from Italy
Paid up to €100,000 per day to shoot at civilians from army positions

Wealthy Italians Paid to Shoot Civilians During Sarajevo Siege

According to recent reports, prosecutors in Italy are investigating a disturbing case of "war tourism" that occurred during the siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s. The investigation, opened by Milan prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis, seeks to identify Italians who may have paid the Bosnian Serb army to allow them to shoot at civilians for sport.

The investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by Italian journalist and writer Ezio Gavanezzi, who was contacted in August 2025 by the former mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karic. Karic had filed her own complaint in Bosnia in 2022 after the broadcast of a documentary that revealed the alleged crimes.