State funeral in Serbia for mass murderer and Muslim enemy Mladić

Serbia’s government has announced plans to hold a state funeral for General Ratko Mladić, a former Bosnian Serb military commander convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes during the 1992–1995 Bosnian War. According to officials, the body of Mladić, who died recently, will be flown from The Hague to Belgrade aboard a special charter flight, with a state ceremony planned in accordance with protocol. Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujić stated, “General Mladić is a general, and certain protocols apply. His role is known, as well as what he deserves, and this will be respected.” Mladić, born in the Bosnian town of Kalinovik, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 for orchestrating ethnic cleansing, including the systematic deportation and killing of non-Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As commander of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS), he sought to create an ethnically pure Greater Serbia by expelling or exterminating non-Serb populations. He was also found guilty of besieging and shelling Sarajevo, which endured the longest siege in modern history, exposing civilians to constant bombardment and sniper fire. During the conflict, thousands were murdered while fetching water, shopping, or traveling to work. Children were deliberately targeted as they walked to school or played. Despite these atrocities, public commemorations have been held in numerous locations within Republika Srpska and Serbia. On Thursday, demonstrations in support of Mladić took place, including torchlight processions in Belgrade and Novi Sad. In Višegrad, where many extremist groups reside, dozens gathered on the famous bridge, lighting candles and fireworks. Similar gatherings occurred in other cities, with people lighting candles in memory of the war criminal while holding religious services in churches. In Zvornik, where many victims of the 1995 massacre of Muslims were buried nearby, crowds marched past a mosque, chanting Mladić's name. The attack on Muslims in Zvornik began in April 1992, involving notorious paramilitary groups from Serbia, essentially criminal organizations. Approximately 40,000 Muslims were expelled from the region, with hundreds tortured and killed. Today, there is little remembrance of the victims, yet their killers are celebrated. The ideology of historical revisionism and glorification of wartime perpetrators persists in both Serbia and Republika Srpska. There is minimal empathy for the victims and virtually no reckoning with the past. Demonstrations in favor of Mladić reflect this broader cultural narrative, where the actions of war criminals are not condemned but instead integrated into public memory. In Novi Sad, transparent and Bengal-style fireworks were used to honor Mladić. These displays, often associated with celebratory events, underscore the symbolic reverence given to him despite his legal convictions. In Zvornik, nothing marks the location of the victims, yet the perpetrators remain revered. This pattern highlights a continued lack of accountability and a failure to address the legacy of the conflict. As the funeral arrangements proceed, international observers and human rights groups are likely to monitor the situation closely. While the Serbian government claims adherence to formal protocols, the broader implications of honoring a figure responsible for such widespread suffering will continue to draw attention. The next steps may include further public commemorations, potential political statements, or responses from international bodies concerned with justice and reconciliation.