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Crowds gather in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic
Italy🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/8/2026

Crowds gather in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic

A large crowd gathered in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic, a war criminal convicted for atrocities during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. Attendees arrived at St. Luke's Church early in the morning, many kissing the closed coffin while Serbian Orthodox priests recited prayers. The police blocked surrounding streets due to the influx of people. AFP journalists observed large crowds outside the church, some wearing T-shirts praising Mladic. Serbian flags were displayed nearby, and a banner read: 'Welcome General, thank you to your mother for giving birth to a hero, so that Serbia's glory can return.' Many attendees viewed Mladic as a national hero despite his conviction for genocide related to the Srebrenica massacre. Approximately 300 people attended a commemoration event in Belgrade organized by an association of active and retired Serbian generals. Mladic’s son, family members, and officials from the Republika Srpska were present. Ognjen Gudelj, Mladic’s former personal doctor, criticized the inadequate medical care he received in The Hague before his death, drawing parallels to the treatment of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

A large crowd gathered in Belgrade on Monday for the funeral of Ratko Mladic, the convicted war criminal and former Bosnian Serb military leader. The event took place at the St. Luke Orthodox Church, where thousands attended to pay their respects. The funeral was marked by a mix of reverence and controversy, as Mladic, condemned for orchestrating the Srebrenica massacre and other atrocities during the 1990s Bosnian War, was honored with military and state ceremonies. The funeral began with a long queue forming outside the church, with attendees including members of the public, veterans, and politicians. Many wore black clothing or shirts bearing slogans in praise of Mladic. Serbian flags were displayed near the church, and a large banner read, “Welcome, General, thanks be to your mother for bearing a hero, so that Serbdom's glory may return.” Attendees expressed their admiration for Mladic, with one pensioner stating, “They couldn’t defeat us on the battlefield, so they sent him to prison and tortured him there instead,” referring to international efforts to hold him accountable. Mladic’s body, which had been laid to rest in the church since the previous day, was draped in flags and adorned with medals and his military uniform. Police had cordoned off the area to manage the crowd, and the funeral proceeded in a solemn yet celebratory tone. The Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Porfirije, officiated the religious rites, describing Mladic as a “Christian Orthodox and Serbian soldier” whose legacy would endure in the hearts of Serbs. Among those present were high-ranking officials, including the Serbian justice minister Nenad Vujic, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko, and the son of Mladic, Darko. Despite initial statements from Serbian authorities that no state honors would be granted, the funeral featured military elements such as a gun salute and a marching band. The funeral procession moved through the city, drawing attention from both locals and international observers. The European Union has repeatedly criticized Serbia for honoring Mladic, calling it a violation of its core values. EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos canceled a planned visit to Serbia, citing concerns over the “glorification of war criminals.” Meanwhile, in Bosnia, 76,000 complaints have been filed regarding the promotion of Mladic, leading to over 930 legal proceedings. Prosecutors have launched investigations against senior figures in the Republika Srpska, highlighting ongoing tensions between Serbia and the international community. Medical professionals who worked with Mladic have raised concerns about the care he received during his final days in The Hague. Ognjen Gudelj, Mladic’s former personal doctor, alleged that medical treatment was inadequate and that documentation was lacking. He compared Mladic’s situation to that of former Serbian president Slobodan Milošević, who died under similar circumstances in a Dutch prison. The funeral, organized primarily by Mladic’s family, reflected a broader cultural and political sentiment in parts of Serbia and Bosnia. Despite widespread condemnation, the event underscored the complex relationship between historical memory and contemporary politics in the region. As the funeral concluded with Mladic being laid to rest beside his daughter, the nation continued to grapple with the legacy of its wartime past.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

5 reports

La Stampa logoLa StampaIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 95Objective 859/8/2026
EU leaders: 'Mladic's funeral contradicts Serbia's path to the EU'

The European Union leaders expressed strong disapproval over the funeral of Ratko Mladić held in Belgrade, describing the event as shocking and contradictory to Serbia's path toward EU membership. They highlighted Mladić's role as a war criminal convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity, noting his death while serving a life sentence for these offenses. The presence of Serbian officials at the funeral was criticized as showing an inability to confront dark chapters of Europe's history. In response, Bosnia-Erzegovina's Foreign Minister, Elmedin Konaković, announced the withdrawal of most embassy staff from Belgrade, aiming to minimize diplomatic ties with Serbia. He stated he would reduce relations as much as possible, though some personnel would remain due to their appointments by Bosnia's presidency.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the funeral as a violation of European values and Serbia's EU aspirations, emphasizing the moral and legal implications of honoring a war criminal. It highlights the EU leaders' condemnation and the resulting diplomatic fallout, which aligns with left-leaning perspectives that equ

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the EU leaders' statements regarding the funeral of Ratko Mladić, citing Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa directly. It provides specific details such as the location of the funeral, Mladić’s crimes, and the Bosnian response. The only minor deduction comes from no

Why objectivity (85): The article presents the EU leaders' condemnation and the Bosnian government's reaction in a largely neutral manner. However, phrases like 'scioccanti' (shocking) and 'profondamente deplorevoli' (deeply condemnable) introduce some emotional language. Overall, it remains relatively balanced in tone.

ANSA logoANSAIndependentProgressiveFactual 90Objective 659/8/2026
The EU: Mladic's funeral contradicts Serbia's path to the Union

The European Union has criticized Serbia over the funeral of Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal responsible for the genocide at Srebrenica and other crimes against humanity. The EU expressed deep concern over the official support shown during the ceremony and the presence of high-ranking Serbian officials, stating these actions contradict Serbia's path toward European Union integration and fail to address dark chapters of Europe's recent history. The funeral took place in Belgrade, drawing large crowds, and included military honors and state ceremonies.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the EU's criticism of Serbia's handling of Mladic's funeral as a contradiction to Serbia's aspirations for EU membership, emphasizing the need to confront historical atrocities. This framing aligns with left-leaning values such as accountability for wartime crimes and adherence to

Why factuality (90): This article directly quotes EU leaders on social media, providing specific statements about the funeral being 'scioccanti' and 'deplorevoli.' These statements align with known EU positions on war criminals and Serbia’s European aspirations. The reporting is factual and consistent with previous EU s

Why objectivity (65): The language used by the article is highly critical and emotionally charged, particularly in describing the funeral as 'scioccanti' and the actions of Serbian officials as 'profondamente deplorevoli.' This reflects a clear editorial stance against the honoring of a convicted war criminal, which intr

ANSA logoANSAIndependentProgressiveFactual 90Objective 609/8/2026
The EU: Mladic's funeral contradicts Serbia's path to the Union

The European Union has condemned the funeral of Ratko Mladić, a war criminal convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity, held in Belgrade. EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa called the event 'shocking,' noting the presence of Serbian officials and high-ranking figures at the ceremony as 'deeply regrettable.' They argued that this display contradicts Serbia’s path toward EU membership, which is based on democratic values and reconciliation. The funeral, attended by thousands, included military honors and was widely covered by media. Bosnia-Herzegovina has responded by withdrawing most of its embassy staff in Serbia and expelling two Serbian diplomats.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the funeral of a war criminal as a violation of European values and Serbia's EU accession process. It emphasizes the negative implications of Serbian officials attending the event, portraying them as failing to confront historical atrocities. The tone is critical of Serbia's moral

Why factuality (90): The article includes direct quotes from EU leaders and reports on the Bosnian government's response, including the withdrawal of embassy staff. These details are consistent with public records and statements made by both the EU and Bosnian officials. The factual content is reliable and matches the i

Why objectivity (60): The article presents the EU's criticism as a strong condemnation, using emotive language such as 'scioccanti' and 'profondamente deplorevoli.' It also highlights the Bosnian government's reaction, but frames it primarily through the lens of EU concerns, suggesting a potential bias towards the EU's p

ANSA logoANSAIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 709/7/2026
State honours for Ratko Mladic, thousands at his funeral

A large crowd gathered in Belgrade for the state and military honors funeral of General Ratko Mladic, who was convicted by the former International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The ceremony took place peacefully without any opposition or protests, despite repeated warnings from the European Union against glorifying war criminals. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic did not attend officially, sending his son instead, while high-ranking officials, including ministers and the Russian ambassador, were present. The event included religious ceremonies led by the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who described Mladic as a 'Serbian soldier and Christian.' Mladic’s family expressed emotional tributes during the funeral.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the event as a celebration of Mladic, highlighting the presence of high-profile figures and the absence of criticism, despite EU warnings. It emphasizes the nationalistic tone of the ceremony and the involvement of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which aligns with right-leaning views

Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed information about the funeral of Ratko Mladić, including the number of attendees, the location, and the official honors given. It accurately reports his death while serving a life sentence for war crimes, including the Srebrenica massacre. The mention of EU warnings is

Why objectivity (70): The tone is somewhat celebratory and reverential toward the deceased, using phrases like 'cerimoniale prevedibilmente celebrativo' and emphasizing the presence of state officials. While not overtly biased, it frames the event as a significant national occasion rather than a political controversy, wh

ANSA logoANSAIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 659/7/2026
Crowds gather in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic

A large crowd gathered in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic, a war criminal convicted for atrocities during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. Attendees arrived at St. Luke's Church early in the morning, many kissing the closed coffin while Serbian Orthodox priests recited prayers. The police blocked surrounding streets due to the influx of people. AFP journalists observed large crowds outside the church, some wearing T-shirts praising Mladic. Serbian flags were displayed nearby, and a banner read: 'Welcome General, thank you to your mother for giving birth to a hero, so that Serbia's glory can return.' Many attendees viewed Mladic as a national hero despite his conviction for genocide related to the Srebrenica massacre. Approximately 300 people attended a commemoration event in Belgrade organized by an association of active and retired Serbian generals. Mladic’s son, family members, and officials from the Republika Srpska were present. Ognjen Gudelj, Mladic’s former personal doctor, criticized the inadequate medical care he received in The Hague before his death, drawing parallels to the treatment of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

Bias read (Conservative): The article emphasizes the reverence shown toward Mladic by attendees, including references to him as a 'national hero,' and highlights the presence of high-profile figures such as the Minister of Justice and officials from Republika Srpska. It frames the event as a celebration of Mladic rather than

Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed information about the funeral of Ratko Mladic, including the location (Belgrade), the time of gathering (from 7 AM), the presence of large crowds, and specific quotes from participants like Radojka Visic. These details align with general knowledge about Mladic’s status

Why objectivity (65): The article presents the event with a clear bias toward those who view Mladic as an 'hero,' using phrases like 'eroe nazionale' and quoting individuals who express admiration for him. It also includes direct statements from supporters that frame Mladic positively, while briefly mentioning his crimes

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