Serbia buries convicted war criminal with military honors amid international criticism
Thousands attended the funeral of Ratko Mladic in Belgrade, despite condemnation from the EU. Mladic, who died in prison while serving a life sentence for genocide and war crimes, was buried with full military honors. The ceremony highlighted ongoing divisions in the region over the legacy of the Bosnian War.
Mladic's remains were transported to Belgrade aboard a state aircraft following his death in custody. The ceremony featured a flag-draped coffin, military honors, and a service led by the Serbian Orthodox Patriarch, with police securing the surrounding area.
While President Vucic stayed away, his son attended, and the president publicly endorsed the event. The funeral drew officials from Republika Srpska and Montenegro, plus Russia's ambassador, while the EU's enlargement commissioner canceled a visit and the UN chief cautioned against honoring convicted war criminals.
The ceremony could deepen the chasm between Serbian nationalists and Bosniak victims' families, potentially reigniting regional tensions. It may also complicate Serbia's European Union accession prospects, as Brussels views such glorification as incompatible with its foundational values. Furthermore, the state-sanctioned honors could embolden revisionist narratives about the 1990s wars, affecting how younger generations in the Balkans perceive historical accountability and reconciliation.