Investigation into Alleged Extrajudicial 'Human Safaris' During the Siege of Sarajevo
關於薩拉熱窩圍城期間涉嫌法外「人間狩獵」的調查
Introduction
Recent publications and legal inquiries have surfaced allegations regarding the participation of wealthy foreign nationals in organized sniper activities targeting civilians during the siege of Sarajevo between 1992 and 1995.
最近的出版物和法律調查揭露了相關指控，稱在 1992 年至 1995 年薩拉熱窩圍城期間，有富裕的外國國民參與了針對平民的組織化狙擊活動。
Main Body
The provenance of these activities is attributed to a conceptual framework originating in Croatia, allegedly facilitated by Zvonko Horvatincic, a former operative of Yugoslav intelligence. According to the journalist Domagoj Margetic, these 'safaris' were coordinated through a network involving the transit of foreign nationals via Croatian ports to Serbian-controlled territories. This logistical arrangement purportedly persisted despite the broader geopolitical hostilities between Croat and Serb forces, suggesting a pragmatic collaboration between intelligence apparatuses for the purpose of facilitating these excursions.
這些活動的起源被歸因於一個源自克羅埃西亞的概念框架，據稱由前南斯拉夫情報員 Zvonko Horvatincic 協助促成。根據記者 Domagoj Margetic 的說法，這些「狩獵」是透過一個網絡協調，讓外國國民經由克羅埃西亞港口前往塞族控制領土。據稱，儘管克羅埃西亞與塞族軍隊之間存在廣泛的地緣政治敵對狀態，這種後勤安排依然持續，顯示出情報機構之間為了便利這些行程而採取了務實的合作。
Evidence cited in Margetic's work, derived from documents compiled by the late Bosnian intelligence officer Nedzad Ugljen, indicates a tiered pricing structure for the targeting of specific demographics. The documentation suggests that payments to Serbian handlers commenced at approximately 80,000 marks for middle-aged adults, escalating to 95,000 marks for young women, and peaking at 110,000 marks for pregnant women. Testimonies from Bosnian-Serb militia members further allege the involvement of a European royal, who reportedly utilized helicopter transport to access the region with a stated preference for targeting children.
Margetic 作品中引用的證據（源自已故波士尼亞情報員 Nedzad Ugljen 編纂的文件）顯示，針對特定族群採取了分級定價結構。文件指出，支付給塞族接線員的費用，中年成人約為 80,000 馬克，年輕女性升至 95,000 馬克，孕婦則最高達 110,000 馬克。波斯尼亞塞族民兵的證詞進一步指控一名歐洲王室成員參與其中，據報其利用直升機抵達該地區，並明確表示偏好將兒童作為目標。
These claims align with previous testimonies provided to the United Nations-led international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. In 2007, former U.S. Marine John Jordan testified to the presence of non-local personnel utilizing hunting-grade weaponry and civilian-military attire, noting their reliance on local guides. While Jordan acknowledged he did not personally witness the act of firing, his observations regarding the distinct equipment and unfamiliarity of these individuals with the urban terrain support the hypothesis of foreign participation. Additionally, a 2022 documentary featured an anonymous former U.S. intelligence officer who claimed to have witnessed high-status Westerners engaging in these activities from camouflaged positions.
這些指控與先前提交給聯合國主導的前南斯拉夫國際刑事法庭的證詞一致。2007 年，前美國海軍陸戰隊員 John Jordan 證實有非本地人員使用狩獵級武器並穿著民軍混搭服裝，並指出他們依賴當地導遊。雖然 Jordan 承認他未親眼目擊開火行為，但他對這些人特殊裝備以及對城市地形不熟悉之觀察，支持了外國人參與的假設。此外，一部 2022 年的紀錄片中，一名匿名的前美國情報員聲稱目擊過高地位的西方人在偽裝陣地中參與這些活動。
Conclusion
While Serbian veterans deny these allegations, the initiation of an investigation by Italian authorities in November 2025 indicates a renewed legal effort to verify the veracity of these claims.
雖然塞族退伍軍人否認這些指控，但義大利當局在 2025 年 11 月啟動調查，顯示出法律上再次嘗試驗證這些指控的真實性。
Vocabulary Learning
The Architecture of Distance: Hedges and Nominalization in Forensic Prose
To move from B2 to C2, a student must transition from describing events to constructing claims. This text is a masterclass in Epistemic Distancing. In high-level academic and legal English, the writer avoids direct attribution to protect themselves from litigation and to maintain an air of objective detachment.
1. The 'Claim-Shield' Lexis
Notice the density of verbs and adjectives that function as buffers between the author and the truth-claim:
- Alleged / Purportedly / Suggesting / Hypothesis
At a C2 level, you do not simply say "They say X." You employ probabilistic qualifiers.
Example from text: "This logistical arrangement purportedly persisted..."
By inserting "purportedly," the writer transforms a factual statement into a reported claim, shifting the burden of proof away from the author and onto the source. This is the hallmark of sophisticated discourse in diplomacy and law.
2. The Power of Nominalization
B2 students rely on verbs (actions). C2 masters rely on nouns (concepts). Look at how the text converts chaotic violence into clinical processes:
| B2 Approach (Action-Oriented) | C2 Approach (Concept-Oriented) |
|---|---|
| People were organized to kill | "The provenance of these activities..." |
| They worked together despite fighting | "...a pragmatic collaboration between intelligence apparatuses" |
| They checked if the claims were true | "...to verify the veracity of these claims" |
The Linguistic Shift: By using provenance, collaboration, and veracity, the writer removes the emotional weight and replaces it with an analytical framework. This is called depersonalization, and it is essential for writing reports, white papers, or doctoral theses.
3. Syntactic Density: The 'Tiered' Information Load
Observe the sentence: "The documentation suggests that payments to Serbian handlers commenced at approximately 80,000 marks for middle-aged adults, escalating to 95,000 marks for young women, and peaking at 110,000 marks for pregnant women."
Instead of three separate sentences, the author uses a parallel participial chain (commenced... escalating... peaking). This creates a cumulative effect, mirroring the 'escalation' of the price itself through the rhythm of the sentence. This level of syntactic control allows you to guide the reader's emotional response through structural precision rather than adjectives.