Italian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into disturbing allegations that European tourists paid to shoot civilians during the Bosnian War in the early 1990s. The claims suggest that individuals, possibly from Italy and other parts of Europe, traveled to war-torn Bosnia to engage in what has been described as a grotesque form of “war tourism.”

The investigation was reportedly launched after testimonies and reports surfaced indicating that, during the height of the Bosnian conflict between 1992 and 1995, some foreign visitors were offered the opportunity to fire at civilians in besieged areas — particularly around Sarajevo, which endured one of the longest sieges in modern history.

According to preliminary findings, witnesses and survivors allege that certain paramilitary groups and militia leaders profited by allowing foreign nationals to experience “the thrill of combat” in exchange for money. Victims’ advocates and human rights organizations have condemned these acts as war crimes and demanded full accountability for those involved, regardless of how much time has passed.

The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office is reportedly coordinating with Bosnian judicial authorities and international tribunals to verify the authenticity of these claims. Investigators are said to be reviewing archival footage, testimonies, and wartime records to identify whether any Italian citizens were directly involved or complicit in these acts.