Convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic glorified at Belgrade commemoration as war crimes are denied

Mladic died on August 27 at the detention unit of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) in The Hague, where he was serving a life sentence.

The commemoration was organized by retired military officers, while a large number of citizens, Mladic's supporters and former comrades-in-arms gathered outside the Serbian Armed Forces Hall.

During the commemoration, speakers glorified Mladic and denied or downplayed the crimes for which he was finally convicted by an international court.

Among those attending the commemoration were Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujic, President of Republika Srpska Sinisa Karan, Republika Srpska Interior Minister Zeljko Budimir, and Republika Srpska Minister of Labor and Veterans' and Disability Protection Radan Ostojic.

In June 2021, Mladic was finally sentenced to life imprisonment for the Srebrenica genocide, the persecution of Bosniaks and Croats, terrorizing the population of Sarajevo, and taking UNPROFOR personnel hostage.

His death prompted numerous reactions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and the international community.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos cancelled a planned visit to Serbia, saying that the glorification of Mladic was incompatible with European values and the process of confronting the past.

The European Union had previously sent clear messages that paying tribute to Mladic represented disrespect toward the victims and their families.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot also condemned the Serbian authorities' decision to receive Mladic's body with military and state honors, warning that such conduct was moving Serbia further away from the European Union's fundamental values and the standards expected of a candidate country.

On September 3, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals handed over Mladic's remains to his closest relatives at Rotterdam The Hague Airport.

The Mechanism reiterated the position of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and expressed solidarity with the victims, survivors and their families who suffered the crimes for which Mladic was found guilty. It also condemned any glorification of individuals convicted by international courts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic is scheduled for Monday, September 7, at Topcider Cemetery in Belgrade. Before the funeral, the coffin containing his remains will be displayed at the Church of St. Luke in the Vidikovac neighborhood.