New investigations by prosecutors across five countries are examining allegations that wealthy foreign nationals paid Serbian forces to participate in “human safaris” targeting civilians during the 1992–1995 Siege of Sarajevo. Author Ezio Gavazzeni, whose book Hétvégi orvlövészek (Weekend Snipers) details the practice, reports that judicial authorities in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Bosnia-Herzegovina are currently pursuing suspects involved in the systematic hunting of civilians from mountain positions overlooking the city.
How did the “human safari” allegations emerge?
The term “safari” first appeared in official records during the 2003 Hague Tribunal testimony of Slobodan Milošević. A protected witness, identified as C-017, testified that a Canadian man named Nicholas Ribic admitted to coming to the region specifically to “hunt people.” According to the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network and reports by Radio Free Europe, investigators later gained momentum following the 2022 release of the documentary Sarajevo Safari by Slovenian director Miran Zupanič. Zupanič’s film featured interviews with former Serbian soldiers who alleged that Westerners paid significant sums to shoot at residents from the hills surrounding the Bosnian capital.
The “Sniper Alley” of Sarajevo—the city’s main boulevard—became a primary target for these shooters. According to Gavazzeni’s research, victims were often prioritized by “tariffs,” with children being the most expensive and sought-after targets for those paying to participate in the violence.
What is the status of current international investigations?
As of 2024, the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office is leading a coordinated effort involving multiple European jurisdictions. Ezio Gavazzeni confirmed to journalists that he has been summoned for hearings in Italy and Switzerland, with further cooperation requested by Belgian authorities. In January 2024, the Mayor of Sarajevo and the city government officially joined the Milan proceedings as plaintiffs. While Gavazzeni reports that no formal indictments have been finalized, he states that international intelligence services, including the Italian military intelligence agency (SISMI), were aware of the phenomenon as early as 1994 but failed to fully dismantle the networks at the time.
How do these allegations connect to current political figures?
Recent reports by Croatian investigative journalist Domagoj Margetić have linked Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to the vicinity of the “human safari” sites. Margetić alleges that Vučić, then a member of the Serbian Radical Party, was present at the Jewish Cemetery overlooking Sarajevo—a location identified as a premium position for snipers—during 1992 and 1993. According to the Guardian and reports in Danas, Vučić has consistently denied these claims, labeling them “malicious disinformation.” His spokesperson, Suzana Vasiljević, maintains that Vučić served only as a journalist and translator during the war and never participated in combat operations or the use of weapons.
Comparative perspectives on the evidence
| Source | Claim regarding Vučić |
|---|---|
| Domagoj Margetić (Journalist) | Alleges presence at the Jewish Cemetery; claims photographic evidence shows him with a rifle. |
| Suzana Vasiljević (Spokesperson) | States the object in footage was a camera tripod; insists his role was strictly journalistic. |
| Ezio Gavazzeni (Author) | States Vučić was present with the Chetnik militia, but maintains his information on “safaris” and Vučić are currently separate lines of inquiry. |
Could these events repeat in modern conflicts?
Experts and researchers remain divided on the likelihood of such organized “tourist violence” in current wars. Gavazzeni argues that the nature of the war in Ukraine, which he characterizes as a traditional front-line conflict, makes the “safari” model less viable because civilians are not typically found in active, high-intensity combat zones. However, he warns that in less-scrutinized conflicts, such as those in South Sudan, the breakdown of law and order creates environments where similar atrocities—including human trafficking and targeted killings—remain a distinct risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Were any Hungarians involved in the Sarajevo safaris? According to Gavazzeni’s research, there is no evidence of Hungarian participants; the identified individuals were primarily from Western European nations.
- Has anyone been convicted for these “safaris”? Currently, no, but multiple investigations are ongoing across five countries, and the case has reached the level of international prosecutorial cooperation.
- Why was Sarajevo specifically chosen? The city’s geography—situated in a valley surrounded by high mountains—provided unique, unobstructed sightlines that attracted those looking to target the city from a distance.
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