Milan prosecutors have placed an elderly Italian man under investigation over allegations that foreigners paid to shoot at civilians during the 1990s siege of Sarajevo, sources with direct knowledge of the case said on Wednesday.
The man is the first individual to be formally identified in the investigation, which began last year. The sources said he is an 80-year-old former truck driver who lives near the northern Italian town of Pordenone.
Prosecutors are examining claims that foreign nationals were paid to take part in shootings of civilians during the siege of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, during the war that followed the country’s declaration of independence from Yugoslavia.
The suspect, who was not named, faces several counts of premeditated murder, with charges aggravated by base motives, the sources said. It is not yet clear whether he is accused of directly carrying out killings or of assisting with transport and logistics for those involved.
He remains at liberty and has been summoned to appear before prosecutors for questioning on 9 February, according to the sources.
Around 11,000 civilians were killed by shelling and sniper fire from Bosnian Serb army positions in the hills surrounding Sarajevo during the 1992–1995 conflict.
The Milan inquiry was opened after Italian journalist and novelist Ezio Gavazzeni filed a legal complaint alleging that Italians and other foreigners paid Bosnian Serb forces to allow them to take part in shooting excursions, a practice described by some as "sniper tourism".
Gavazzeni said he began investigating the allegations after watching the 2022 documentary Sarajevo Safari by Slovenian director Miran Zupanic.
According to Gavazzeni, wealthy foreigners paid large sums of money to participate. He said Italians would meet in the city of Trieste before travelling to Belgrade, where Bosnian Serb soldiers escorted them to positions overlooking Sarajevo.
The launch of the Italian investigation in November 2025 raised hopes among survivors of the siege that those responsible for such crimes could finally be brought to justice.
Iran warned U.S. forces on Monday not to enter the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump said the United S...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has urged Iraq’s prime minister-designate to form a government which reflects the country’...
The commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command has warned the U.S. against deploying forces to escort vessels through the Strait of ...
Uzbekistan has unveiled a series of major economic and regional initiatives as more than 4,000 delegates from over 100 countries gather in Samarkan...
Armenia is host to the 8th meeting of the European Political Community which opened in Yerevan on Monday (4 May). ...
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to the Vatican and Italy this week for a series of meetings, according to Italian media reports, in a visit that comes amid strained relations between Washington and parts of Europe and heightened tensions involving Pope Leo XIV.
European leaders have set out plans for a coordinated defensive mission to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, once security conditions allow, following talks involving more than 40 countries.
Germany’s opposition party, The Left, on Thursday accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government of fuelling the war in Iran by exporting arms to Israel, as new figures revealed millions of euros in approved military sales.
Italy has suspended a long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Israel, marking a sharp shift in relations as tensions in the Middle East escalate.
Ukraine is monitoring “unusual activity” along its border with Belarus, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video statement released on Saturday (2 May). He warned that Kyiv is ready to respond if necessary amid continued regional tensions linked to Russia’s war.
China has moved to block U.S. sanctions on five of its oil refineries, in a fresh escalation of tensions over trade and energy policy.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will “soon be reviewing” a new 14-point proposal sent by Iran, casting doubt on the chances of a deal after Tehran called for security guarantees, an end to naval blockades and a halt to the war across the region, including in Lebanon.
Malian authorities have launched an investigation into suspected soldiers accused of involvement in coordinated attacks on military bases carried out by militants linked to al Qaeda and separatist Tuareg rebels on 25 April 2026.
Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone strikes on Sunday (3 May) across Russia, hitting key infrastructure and causing casualties in several regions, officials on both sides said.
Armenia is host to the 8th meeting of the European Political Community which opened in Yerevan on Monday (4 May). Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed European Union leaders and heads of international organisations, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
European allies are stepping up efforts to meet military commitments following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to the Vatican and Italy this week for a series of meetings, according to Italian media reports, in a visit that comes amid strained relations between Washington and parts of Europe and heightened tensions involving Pope Leo XIV.
Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone strikes on Sunday (3 May) across Russia, hitting key infrastructure and causing casualties in several regions, officials on both sides said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment