Al Jazeera English: The Human Hunters of Sarajevo | True Crime Reports

In February 2007, at The Hague UN tribunal, John Jordan, a former US Marine and volunteer firefighter, testified about the brutal siege of Sarajevo during the 1990s Bosnian War. He described a city under constant sniper fire and unimaginable horrors.

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, was under siege for nearly four years starting in 1992, with over 12,000 civilians killed, many women and children. The city was surrounded by Serb forces seeking to create a Serb state, leading to devastating ethnic conflict.

John Jordan recounted not only the terror from Serb snipers but also the presence of 'tourist shooters'—wealthy foreigners who paid to hunt civilians for sport, a chilling revelation first publicly mentioned during the trial.

This story reveals the depths of human cruelty during war and the complex legacy of the Bosnian conflict. It challenges us to remember the victims and confront uncomfortable truths about violence, exploitation, and the cost of conflict.

Mirsad Sijarić, a Sarajevo resident and later investigative journalist, witnessed the siege firsthand. He describes the city as a cage under fire, with snipers on rooftops and hills, making every street perilous, especially the infamous 'Sniper Alley.'

The siege devastated Sarajevo: daily shelling destroyed homes, schools, and hospitals; food, water, and power were cut off; and the UN organized the largest airlift in history to save starving residents.

John Jordan arrived in Sarajevo in 1992 with a volunteer rescue group, risking his life to save children and fight fires amid constant sniper attacks. His testimony at the war crimes tribunal highlighted the horrors faced by civilians and rescuers alike.

These 'tourist shooters' reportedly came from countries like Germany, the US, Canada, Russia, and Italy, armed with unusual weapons and given privileged sniper positions. They treated the warzone as a deadly safari, shooting locals for fun.

Despite initial skepticism, years later a 2022 documentary 'Sarajevo Safari' brought the story of tourist snipers to light, featuring testimonies from intelligence officers and witnesses who saw these foreign hunters in action.

The documentary sparked controversy, dividing Bosnia along ethnic lines. Bosnian Serb groups denied the allegations, calling them lies, while others saw the film as exposing a horrific chapter of the war. The film's director faced intense backlash.

The siege of Sarajevo left deep scars—bullet-riddled buildings and a war crimes museum stand as reminders of over 100,000 lives lost in the Bosnian conflict. Efforts to prosecute war criminals continue, but some dark truths remain elusive.

To date, no one has been charged specifically for the crimes of these 'tourist shooters.' Bosnia remains ethnically divided, with ongoing tensions and denial about the war’s atrocities, leaving many questions about justice and reconciliation unanswered.

The Bosnian War and siege of Sarajevo remain a poignant example of ethnic conflict, war crimes, and the struggle for justice. The tale of the 'human hunters' adds a disturbing layer to this tragic history, reminding us of the need for vigilance and accountability.