Flags glorifying convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic displayed at Vucic election rally in Serbia

Photographs from the gathering in the city's central Liberty Square showed large flags depicting Mladic flying above the crowd, alongside banners featuring Vucic and symbols of the electoral coalition.

One particularly prominent flag portrayed Mladic in military uniform and cap, raising his hand in a military salute.

The display took place at a major campaign event supporting Vučić's electoral list, just over a week before Serbian voters head to the polls.

Convicted genocide perpetrator celebrated at political rally

Ratko Mladic, the former commander of the Bosnian Serb Army, is serving a life sentence following his final conviction by an international tribunal for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the 1992–1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

His convictions include responsibility for the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, in which more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed, as well as the campaign of terror against Sarajevo's civilian population during the city's nearly four-year siege and the taking of United Nations personnel hostage.

Despite the internationally established judicial findings, Mladic continues to be glorified at some public gatherings in Serbia.

The images from Novi Sad have once again raised questions about the public celebration of convicted war criminals and the country's relationship with the legacy of the Bosnian war.

In contrast, at a recent campaign event organised by the opposition-backed Students' List, a group of young men reportedly attempting to bring a flag bearing Mladic's image into the gathering were removed, preventing the flag from being displayed.

Dodik and Slovak Prime Minister Fico attend rally

The Novi Sad gathering also attracted prominent political figures, including Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Milorad Dodik, leader of Bosnia's Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD).

Both attended to express their support for Vucic and his electoral coalition.

Addressing the crowd in Serbian, Fico praised Vucic's political approach and his emphasis on Serbia's independent decision-making.

Dodik also publicly endorsed Vucic and his electoral list, highlighting the close political relationship between his party and Serbia's leadership.

Their participation added an international and regional dimension to the rally as Vucic's political allies seek to consolidate support ahead of the snap parliamentary elections.

Elections amid deep political divisions

Serbia is scheduled to hold early parliamentary elections on October 25, 2026, against a backdrop of political polarisation and widespread public dissatisfaction.

Novi Sad has been at the centre of major anti-government protests since the collapse of a railway station canopy in November 2024, which killed 16 people and triggered nationwide demonstrations demanding accountability.

As Serbia approaches election day, the display of flags celebrating a man convicted of genocide and other grave international crimes at a major pro-Vucic rally has once again drawn attention to the continued glorification of wartime figures in the country's political and public life.