Austria has opened a criminal investigation into two individuals alleged to have financed sniper outings that targeted civilians in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War. the probe, announced on April 25, focuses on an Austrian citizen and an as‑yet‑unidentified accomplice who allegedly joined a macabre tourism market that operated between 1992 and 1995 .

Sniper tours staged in a Jewish cemetery overlooking Sarajevo

According to the Austrian justice ministry, the so‑called “Sarajevo Safari” took place in a Jewish cemetery that commands a view of the besieged city. Participants reportedly paid large sums to Serbian fighters who then opened fire on men, women, children and even pregnant women from the cemetery’s heights. After the “hunt,” tourists allegedly partied through the night, treating the killings as a twisted sport.

Wealthy tourists from Europe, Russia, Canada and the US funded the killings

The investigation cites testimony that affluent visitors from across Europe, as well as Russia, Canada and the United States, booked weekend trips to the majority‑Muslim capital and paid extra to see who could kill the most “beautiful women.” The source notes that these tourists competed to outdo each other, turning civilian murder into a perverse contest.

Austrian justice ministry opens probe on April 25 after parliamentary question

Austria’s justice ministry confirmed that the case was launched on April 25 following a parliamentary inquiry by Alma Zadic, a Bosnian‑born Green Party member and former justice minister. Zadic urged that “these allegations concern the gravest war crimes and must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted,” emphasizing that impunity cannot be tolerated.

Unidentified second suspect and gaps in the evidence

While one suspect has been named as an Austrian citizen, the identity of the second participant remains unknown, leaving a critical gap in the investigation. Moreover, the ministry has not disclosed concrete financial records or eyewitness accounts that would directly link the tourists to specific killings, meaning the case will likely hinge on forensic and testimonial evidence gathered decades after the war.

Who financed the sniper tours and why?

The source material does not explain the motivations of the wealthy tourists beyond the grotesque thrill‑seeking described. It also fails to identify any organized network that may have coordinated these tours,leaving open questions about how such operations were arranged amid the chaos of the siege.