Prosecutors are investigating claims that wealthy tourists paid for "human safaris" during the siege of Sarajevo, where they allegedly acted as snipers shooting at civilians. Reports suggest individuals from Western countries, including Italians, Germans, French, and English, paid for the opportunity to fire upon besieged Sarajevo from Bosnian-Serb positions, with some reportedly paying extra to target children. This investigation is prompted by recent revelations and a 2022 documentary on the subject, "Sarajevo Safari."
The author, who grew up near Sarajevo, shares personal memories of hearing rumors about these "weekend soldiers" during the nearly four-year siege, which resulted in the deaths of 11,541 civilians, including 1,601 children. While acknowledging the difficulty of verifying information in the pre-internet era, the author recounts a personal terrifying experience of being targeted by a sniper while with their mother and siblings, questioning if the perpetrator was one of these thrill-seeking tourists.
The author expresses frustration that it has taken 30 years for prosecutions to be considered, despite Italian prosecutors being aware of the allegations in 1993. The revelation that people may have traveled simply to kill for pleasure adds another layer of trauma and dehumanization for survivors, especially considering the war's memory is fading. The author urges the UK and other governments to follow Italy's lead by opening investigations and collaborating to ensure consequences for those involved.
