Sniper Tourism: Italy Probes Sarajevo War Crimes Claims

Allegations of 'sniper tourism' during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War are resurfacing as Italian authorities investigate claims that foreign nationals paid significant amounts to shoot at civilians in Sarajevo. One survivor, Djemil Hodzic, recalls his elder brother being shot by a sniper in 1995, an incident that may have been part of this alleged practice. The Bosnian Serb army clashed with Bosnian forces after Bosnia declared independence from Yugoslavia, leading to a conflict that resulted in widespread displacement and nearly 100,000 deaths.

The Italian probe, initiated in November 2025 following a complaint by journalist Ezio Gavazzeni, focuses on whether wealthy foreigners, including Italians, paid between $90,000 and $115,000 for civilian targets. Survivors describe the constant fear during the siege, Sarajevo's longest in modern history, and the specific perils of 'Sniper Alley,' a route notorious for sniper attacks. Documentation efforts, like Djemil's 'Sniper Alley' project, aim to preserve these accounts and push for justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.