Human safaris' in Sarajevo: Milan investigates 1990s trips where tourists allegedly paid to kill civilians

"The Milan Attorney General's Office has opened an investigation into a chilling case that recalls the infamous Sniper Alley of Sarajevo the city besieged from 1992 to 1996 by Serb-Bosnian militias during the Bosnian War. From the surrounding hills, they shot at passersby who had no choice but to cross that street and expose themselves to being killed. It is estimated that more than 11,000 civilians were murdered in this way."

"The investigation, revealed by Italian media, concerns an alleged crime of intentional homicide aggravated by cruelty and vile motives. Its central thesis is that some Italians paid to go to Sarajevo for the weekend and shoot at people, as if it were a hunting trip. Ordinary citizens, with ties to far-right circles and passionate about weapons, allegedly hired this service as a kind of human safari in the besieged city."

"According to the complaint, they flew from Trieste to Belgrade on the Serbian airline Aviogenex, which at that time operated from the Italian airport. To be weekend snipers, they reportedly paid the equivalent of between 80,000 ($92,800) and 100,000 ($116,000), according to the first hypotheses of the investigation. Shooting at children cost more. Information that has come to light mentions a Milanese businessman who owns a private cosmetic surgery clinic, as well as citizens from Turin and Trieste."

Milan's Attorney General's Office opened an investigation into alleged intentional homicide aggravated by cruelty and vile motives tied to Sarajevo's Sniper Alley. Reports allege Italian far-right extremists traveled to besieged Sarajevo and paid for weekend sniper excursions that targeted passersby and civilians. More than 11,000 civilians were estimated killed during the siege. Alleged payments ranged from 80,000 to 100,000 euros, with higher prices to shoot children. The complaint mentions flights from Trieste to Belgrade on Aviogenex and names a Milanese businessman and citizens from Turin and Trieste. The complaint was filed by Ezio Gavazzeni and supported by Guido Salvini and Benjamina Karic.

Read at english.elpais.com