Sarajevo to formally join criminal proceedings in Milan against siege sniper suspects

This decision empowers the Mayor and the City Attorney’s Office to initiate and execute all legal, technical, and administrative activities within their jurisdiction. The primary goal is the formal entry of the City of Sarajevo into the criminal proceedings before the competent judicial authorities in Italy.

Institutional pursuit of justice

For the first time, the City of Sarajevo is moving to institutionally enter an international criminal case regarding crimes committed against its citizens during the siege.

The planned activities include a systematic and thorough collection of data and relevant documentation concerning Sarajevo residents killed by sniper fire. This process will involve:

• Gathering identification data of the victims.
• Documenting the circumstances of the killings and collecting witness testimonies.
• Compiling available physical evidence, as well as archival and institutional records.

Collaboration and objectives

A significant focus of the initiative will be collaboration with the families of victims, competent institutions, archives, witness associations, and other relevant entities to ensure full and credible documentation.

The objectives of these actions are multifaceted:

• Ensuring the City’s institutional participation in the proceedings.
• Protecting the dignity of the victims and their families.
• Contributing to the determination of individual criminal responsibility.
• Strengthening international efforts in the prosecution of war crimes.

The City Council’s decision marks a vital step toward enhancing international legal cooperation and the fight against impunity. It reaffirms the City of Sarajevo's commitment to seeking justice and truth regarding the crimes committed during the siege on behalf of its citizens.

Other Council decisions

During the same session, the City Council also adopted the Proposed Work Plan for the City of Sarajevo for 2026. Furthermore, a decision was made for the City of Sarajevo to join the ICLEI Network (Local Governments for Sustainability), and an amendment was passed regarding the Decision on Salaries and Compensations in the City’s administrative bodies.