Bosnia prosecutors decline investigation into Ratko Mladic mural in Banja Luka

Victims’ groups criticized the ruling, calling it humiliating and accusing authorities of protecting war criminals’ images rather than safeguarding the memory and dignity of survivors. Sehida Abdurahmanovic from the “Mothers of the Srebrenica and Zepa Enclaves” Movement described the decision as manipulation, saying those involved were siding with war crimes. Murat Tahirovic, head of the Association of Genocide Victims and Witnesses, highlighted that global media outlets had widely reported the mural, yet authorities claimed they could not identify Mladic.

The mural, painted on a building of the Soup Kitchen in Banja Luka, was also tied to Mayor Drasko Stanivukovic, who refused to remove it. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, no criminal act occurred, and the investigation against unknown persons and Stanivukovic was closed. SIPA had previously investigated the same mural in another case.

Durakovic warned that the decision ensures the mural will remain, leaving citizens’ dignity and the memory of victims unprotected. The mural has contributed to a sense of insecurity among returnees to Banja Luka. Ratko Mladic was sentenced to life imprisonment by The Hague for genocide and other crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and his recent request for temporary leave was denied by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.