A prominent US Congresswoman has launched a determined effort to identify and bring to justice any American citizens involved in one of the most grotesque chapters of the Bosnian War: paying for the chance to shoot unarmed civilians during the Siege of Sarajevo.
The Chilling Allegations of 'Human Safari'
According to investigations led by Italian prosecutors in Milan, wealthy foreigners, including far-right extremists and gun enthusiasts from Italy, the United States, and Russia, travelled to Serbia to participate in what has been termed 'war tourism'.
These individuals allegedly paid Serbian forces sums between €80,000 and €100,000 (approximately £71,000 to £88,000) for the opportunity to fire upon residents of the besieged city. A disturbing 'price list' was reportedly in operation, with rates varying based on the victim.
A Vow for Justice from Washington
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, has taken a firm public stand. In a post on the social media platform X, she stated, "I have opened an investigation into this matter and am in contact with the Bosnian Consulate as well as the Italian Embassy."
She expressed profound condemnation, writing, "Paying money to shoot civilians—and even worse to shoot children—is a level of evil our country cannot and will not tolerate." Ms Luna vowed that any Americans implicated "deserve to be charged and prosecuted."
The congresswoman, an ally of former President Donald Trump, confirmed that the Italian and Bosnian governments will share all relevant information concerning any American citizens involved.
The Historical Context and Ongoing Investigations
The Siege of Sarajevo, which lasted from 1992 to 1996, stands as the longest siege in modern European history, claiming the lives of more than 11,500 people.
Witnesses in Italy claim these 'war tourism' excursions were organised from the northeastern city of Trieste. Participants were allegedly positioned in sniper nests overlooking Sarajevo by Bosnian Serb militias loyal to Radovan Karadzic, who was later convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity.
Italian journalist Ezio Gavazzeni, who helped break the case, provided harrowing details to La Repubblica, noting a explicit price structure for the killings. He revealed that children commanded the highest price, followed by men, women, and finally the elderly, who could be killed for free.
Italian authorities are now working to identify any Italian participants to charge them with voluntary homicide aggravated by cruelty. While investigators suspect Serbian intelligence services were aware of or involved in the operation, Serbia has denied any role.
This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced; former US marine John Jordan testified to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in 2007 about the existence of "tourist shooters" who came to Sarajevo for their own gratification.
