Italy Investigates Tourists Allegedly Paying to Kill Besieged Bosnian Civilians
An investigation into claims of “sniper tourism” during the Bosnian War has surfaced, particularly focusing on allegations of Italians paying to harm civilians in Sarajevo. This practice reportedly involved at least a hundred individuals willing to spend significant amounts of money, reaching up to €100,000 (approximately £88,000) for this illicit activity.
Background of the Allegations
Gavazzeni, a key figure in the investigation, suggested that numerous tourists participated in these activities during the conflict. This report echoes historical instances of war tourism, including the controversial involvement of individuals like Eduard Limonov in 1992.
Limonov, a late Russian writer, and politician, was filmed firing rounds into Sarajevo under the guidance of Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, who was later convicted of genocide. Importantly, Limonov did not pay for this experience; instead, he expressed admiration for Karadzic’s actions.
Current Investigation Status
Italian authorities are actively working to identify witnesses linked to these claims. They aim to uncover the identities of those allegedly involved in this grim tourism. However, there appears to be a lack of corroborative evidence from individuals who served during the Bosnian conflict.
Responses from British Forces
- Members of British forces stationed in Sarajevo reported no incidents of “sniper tourism.”
- Veterans indicated that bringing in foreign participants would have been logistically unfeasible.
- They noted the high number of checkpoints would hinder such activities.
Several soldiers characterized the allegations of foreigners paying to shoot at civilians as an “urban myth.” This skepticism highlights the challenges in proving the occurrence of these events despite ongoing investigations.
Conclusion
The ongoing inquiry into tourist involvement in the Bosnian conflict sheds light on complex and troubling aspects of war. As further evidence is gathered, it remains crucial to distinguish fact from myth while exploring the darker facets of human behavior amid conflict.
