Italian journalist and writer Esio Gavezzeni has made serious allegations about a network of foreign mercenaries during the Siege of Sarajevo, claiming that hundreds of Western nationals paid large sums to target civilians.
According to Gavezzeni, between 1992 and 1996, around 500 individuals from Western countries allegedly took part in what he described as a “human hunting” operation in Sarajevo. He claims participants paid amounts comparable to the price of an apartment today—up to €200,000 for a single weekend.
Gavezzeni further alleged that participants received engraved bullets as “trophies,” depending on the number of victims. He described the operation as organized, with connections in cities like London and Brussels, and involving a security company based in Italy that allegedly facilitated such activities.
He also claimed that out of the roughly 500 participants, about 230 were Italian nationals, making up nearly half of those allegedly involved. Some suspects, he said, have already been identified, and their names have been submitted to prosecutors for further investigation.
In a related development, Croatian journalist Domagoj Margetić published a document from November 1993, reportedly signed by Slavko Aleksić, which allegedly links Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to these events.
According to the document, an Italian citizen identified as R.R. allegedly donated 20,000 German marks to Aleksić’s unit, with the transfer reportedly carried out by a volunteer named Aleksandar Vučić. Margetić claims the document suggests payments for services, including logistical support for foreign visitors.
The published materials also reportedly include orders granting free movement to guests and additional wartime archive documents linked to Aleksić’s unit.
These claims have not been independently verified, and no official confirmation has been issued by relevant authorities.
