'You are our hero': War criminal Mladić buried in Belgrade

Tens of thousands gathered in Belgrade on Monday for the funeral of Ratko Mladić, a convicted war criminal found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity during the Bosnian War. Mladić, 84, died in a Dutch prison in late August while serving a life sentence imposed by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). His body was flown back to Serbia earlier this month and placed in a military honor guard procession through the capital before being laid to rest at the Topčider Cemetery. The funeral took place amid international criticism over the perceived glorification of a man responsible for one of Europe’s worst atrocities. The funeral procession included a military honor guard and a military band playing the national anthem. Mladić’s coffin was draped in the Serbian flag and carried by soldiers. Thousands of mourners lined the streets, many wearing clothing adorned with Mladić’s image and slogans such as “Hero” and “Welcome Home, General.” Some participants were identified as veterans of the Bosnian Serb forces during the 1990s conflict. The event was marked by the presence of high-ranking officials, including Justice Minister Nenad Vujić, who announced earlier that Mladić would be buried with full state honors. President Aleksandar Vučić did not attend the funeral, citing prior commitments to meet with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Vujić has previously expressed support for Mladić, stating he should be buried with military honors despite his conviction. Earlier this year, Vujić had declared that Mladić would receive “military and state honors” upon his death. Mladić is directly linked to the Srebrenica massacre in July 1995, where Bosnian Serb forces under his command stormed a United Nations-protected zone and killed approximately 8,000 Muslim men and boys. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 for orchestrating the genocide and other war crimes. Despite his conviction, his legacy continues to be celebrated by parts of Serbian society, with numerous monuments and portraits of him appearing publicly. The European Union condemned the funeral as an affront to its values. A spokesperson for the European External Action Service stated that Mladić’s crimes, including genocide and crimes against humanity, were among the gravest in modern history. The EU emphasized that the glorification of war criminals contradicted fundamental European principles and warned that such actions could hinder Serbia’s progress toward EU membership. Serbia has long struggled with issues related to media freedom, rule of law, and reconciliation with neighboring countries, particularly regarding the status of Kosovo. The EU has repeatedly criticized Serbia for failing to fully address past wartime atrocities and for fostering a political climate that allows for the continued veneration of figures like Mladić. A youth rights organization based in Belgrade reported that more than 250 graffiti and portraits of Mladić have appeared nationwide since his death, with the majority located in the capital. However, a survey conducted three years ago suggested that a majority of young Serbs do not view Mladić as a hero. The organization accused the government of attempting to promote war criminals as role models for the younger generation. Human rights activist Aida Ćorović criticized the government for using Mladić’s memory to fuel nationalist sentiments, arguing that it serves political interests rather than genuine mourning. She described the situation as an attempt to distract the population from broader social and economic challenges. The funeral took place as tensions remain high in the region, with ongoing disputes over historical narratives and accountability for wartime actions. While some in Serbia continue to revere Mladić as a symbol of resistance, others argue that his legacy should serve as a warning against the dangers of unchecked nationalism and militarism.