Senior RS officials gather in Belgrade for funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic

Numerous high-ranking officials from the Republika Srpska entity have arrived in Belgrade for the service, including DNS leader Nenad Nesic, SPS leader Drasko Stanivukovic, SDS leader Branko Blanusa, and Istocna Ilidza Mayor Marinko Bozovic, who is also the RS opposition bloc candidate for the Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina in upcoming elections. Additional attendees include RS Prime Minister Savo Minic, RS Minister of Labor and Veterans Protection Radan Ostojic, RS President Sinisa Karan, and RS Interior Minister Zeljko Budimir, alongside Serbian Culture Minister Nikola Selakovic. Media reports also indicated the expected arrival of SNSD leader Milorad Dodik and National Assembly President Nenad Stevandic.

The death of Ratko Mladic has drawn widespread international and regional condemnation. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos canceled a planned visit to Serbia, stating that the glorification of Mladic is incompatible with European values and reconciliation efforts.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot condemned the decision of Serbian authorities to receive Mladic's body with state and military honors, warning that such actions distance Serbia from fundamental European Union standards expected of candidate countries. The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals previously transferred Mladic's remains to his relatives at Rotterdam-The Hague Airport on September 3.