Italy is investigating an 80-year-old man suspected of participating in a "human safari" in Sarajevo.
Prosecutors are investigating the possible involvement of an Italian man in attacks against civilians during the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the 1990s.
247 - Prosecutors in Milan have placed an 80-year-old Italian citizen under investigation for alleged involvement in a scheme known as "human safari," which reportedly took place in Sarajevo between 1992 and 1995. The case is part of an investigation launched last year into allegations that foreigners paid to shoot civilians during the siege of the Bosnian capital in the war that followed the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia.
According to the agency ReutersSources indicated that the suspect is a former truck driver who resides near the city of Pordenone, in northern Italy. He is the first person formally identified in the investigation, which is looking into events that occurred approximately three decades ago. The man, whose name has not been released, is being investigated on multiple counts of premeditated murder, aggravated by motives considered despicable.
The suspect is free on bail and will be heard this Sunday.
The sources did not say whether the suspect had participated directly in the murders or whether he had acted in logistical support, such as transport and organization of the activities. He is free on bail and has been summoned to testify next Sunday (9). During the siege, around 11 civilians died as a result of bombings and gunfire from snipers positioned on hills around the city, controlled by Serbian forces, according to historical data from the conflict.
The Italian investigation began after journalist and writer Ezio Gavazzeni filed a formal complaint with the authorities. He stated that he became interested in the subject after watching the documentary Sarajevo Safari, released in 2022 by Slovenian filmmaker Miran Zupanic. According to the author, wealthy foreigners allegedly paid large sums to participate in these actions.
The complaint points to Trieste as the starting point.
According to Gavazzeni, Italians used to meet in Trieste before traveling to Belgrade, from where they were escorted by Bosnian Serb soldiers to hills overlooking Sarajevo. The opening of the inquiry, announced in November 2025, rekindled expectations among survivors of the siege that those responsible for crimes committed during that period could be held accountable.
