Allegations That Serbia’s President Joined ‘Sniper Safaris’ in Sarajevo Prompt International Inquiry

Fresh allegations claim Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vučić, was present at a sniper position above Sarajevo during the 1992–1996 siege, where wealthy foreign visitors allegedly paid to shoot civilians. Croatian investigative journalist Domagoj Margetic has filed a complaint with Italian prosecutors and submitted video, photo and audio materials that he says place Vučić at a Serbian-controlled post at the Jewish cemetery in Sarajevo in 1992–1993.

Margetic asserts that footage and contemporaneous media documentation show Vučić at the cemetery — a location long reported to have been used by snipers — and points to a 1993 clip he says depicts a young Vučić carrying a rifle. Supporters of Vučić dispute this interpretation: his office describes the allegations as malicious disinformation, while other defenders say the object in the footage is a television camera tripod or, as Vučić has claimed, an umbrella.

Another video circulating online appears to show a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a human skull on the boot fitted with a blue United Nations helmet. That clip was posted by Prof. Jasmin Mujanovic, who says there is mounting evidence — including testimony from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia — that so-called “human safaris” took place and warrants multi-country investigations.

Prosecutors in Milan have opened an inquiry after receiving information that wealthy foreigners — reportedly including some Italians, and possibly individuals from Russia and the United States — paid to join excursions above Sarajevo where they allegedly shot at civilians. An Italian former diplomat, Michael Giffoni, has recounted claims he heard in 1994 that wealthy visitors were escorted by military and paramilitary forces to the hills to fire on civilians; he says Italian intelligence worked with Bosnian services to disrupt such arrivals but that no Italian shooters were formally identified or prosecuted.

Experts and commentators emphasize caution. Dr. Helena Ivanov of the Henry Jackson Society warned that wartime myths and sensational claims can persist and stressed the need for transparent, forensic inquiry. Prof. Mujanovic said the allegations are plausible but insisted that extraordinary claims require robust evidence and cross-border investigation before assigning criminal responsibility.

Context: The siege of Sarajevo (1992–1996) resulted in more than 10,000 deaths from shelling and sniper fire. The scale of suffering during the siege underlines the gravity of allegations that foreign “war tourists” may have participated in targeted killings.

Vučić and his representatives categorically deny any participation in combat or wartime operations. His spokeswoman has called the claims politically motivated and designed to undermine Serbia’s international standing.

The materials submitted to Italian authorities, the documentary reporting and testimony from former diplomats and tribunal archives have renewed calls for thorough investigation by competent international and national authorities. Observers say credible evidence should lead to formal inquiries and, if warranted, criminal charges against those implicated.