Austria has opened an investigation into two individuals suspected of involvement in so-called 'Sarajevo Safaris' during the Bosnian War in the 1990s, where wealthy tourists allegedly paid to shoot civilians from the besieged city.
The Austrian justice ministry confirmed on Tuesday that an investigation was launched on April 25 against an Austrian citizen and another unidentified person for possible participation in sniper tours in Sarajevo between 1992 and 1995. The probe follows a parliamentary question raised by Alma Zadic, a Bosnian-born member of the Austrian Green Party and former justice minister.
Allegations of War Crimes
According to reports, wealthy tourists from Europe, Russia, Canada, and the United States made weekend trips to Sarajevo, then under siege by Bosnian Serb forces. They paid Serbian fighters to join sniper missions targeting men, women, and children. Hunters allegedly paid extra to kill pregnant women and children, competing to see who could shoot the most beautiful women. The hunts were reportedly hosted in a Jewish cemetery overlooking the city, followed by late-night parties.
Zadic stated: 'These allegations concern the gravest war crimes and must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. There can be no room for impunity.' She added: 'The idea that people may have paid money in order to deliberately shoot at civilians – even children – is almost unimaginable in its cruelty.'
Book Claims and Evidence
Earlier this month, Croatian journalist Domagoj Margetic published a book titled Pay and Shoot, claiming to have proof of the safaris. Margetic alleges that files show tourists paid their Serbian handlers 80,000 marks (about £35,000 at the time) to shoot middle-aged men and women. Young women commanded a higher price of 95,000 marks, while pregnant women were the most expensive targets at 110,000 marks.
Margetic claims the information came from Nedzad Ugljen, a Bosnian intelligence officer killed in 1996. Ugljen reportedly wrote that foreigners competed to shoot the most beautiful women and that a European royal was among those who participated, arriving by helicopter and wanting to shoot children.
Historical Context
The siege of Sarajevo lasted 44 months, during which Bosnian Serb forces cut off food and electricity, shelled neighbourhoods, and targeted civilians. In 2007, former US Marine John Jordan testified at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia about witnessing 'shooter tourists' – foreigners with hunting weapons guided by locals, appearing unfamiliar with the city.
Jordan, who was shot while serving as a UN firefighter, testified that Serb shooters deliberately aimed at children to cause maximum pain. His testimony contributed to the conviction of Bosnian Serb general Dragomir Milosevic for terrorising civilians.
In November 2025, Italian authorities also launched an investigation into the claims. Survivors hope the truth may finally be uncovered after decades of rumours.
