Vučić criticized The Hague after Mladić's death

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has expressed criticism toward The Hague following the death of war criminal Ratko Mladić, according to reports from Serbian media outlets. On August 28, 2026, Vučić stated that the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) had wanted Mladić to die in prison rather than in Serbia, which he believed was his wish. Vučić described this as uncivilized behavior without precedent. He noted that it is unclear when or where Mladić’s funeral will take place, nor whether his body will ever be returned to Serbia. He mentioned that there is talk of burying Mladić in Belgrade near his daughter, but he does not know if this will happen. Vučić emphasized that Serbia would assist in ensuring a dignified burial if Mladić's family wished for it to occur within the country. Mladić died on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in the detention center of the United Nations in The Hague, where he was serving a life sentence for war crimes and genocide committed during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995. His death was confirmed by the ICTY, which also ordered an investigation into the circumstances of his passing. As commander of the Main Staff of the Army of Republika Srpska, Mladić was convicted for orchestrating the siege of Sarajevo, which resulted in over 12,000 civilian deaths, and the genocide in Srebrenica, where Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed in July 1995. Over 8,000 civilians perished in that massacre. The death of Mladić has sparked polarized responses across the region. In Croatia, many citizens have reacted with hostility, with some fans of the national team displaying banners reading “Samo kratko, crk’o Ratko,” meaning “Just briefly, burn him.” These expressions reflect deep-seated resentment towards Mladić, whose military actions during the Yugoslav wars included attacks on Croatian territories. In contrast, in parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in Srebrenica, survivors have expressed relief that the perpetrator of such atrocities has finally faced justice. However, they also emphasize that Mladić’s death does not bring back the dead or erase mass graves, underscoring the enduring need to confront historical truths. In Serbia, the government has announced plans to hold a state funeral for Mladić, with high-level honors. Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujić confirmed that Mladić’s body will be buried with the highest state ceremonies. While the exact location of the funeral remains under consideration by Mladić’s family, there is speculation that it might take place in Belgrade near his daughter, Ana. Vujić stressed that the protocols for a general’s burial are clear and that Serbia will ensure all appropriate honors are given. He also mentioned that Serbia will assist in transporting Mladić’s remains from The Hague, though the final decision rests with the family. Across Serbia, especially in Zvornik, a town in the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, hundreds of supporters gathered to mourn Mladić. They marched through the streets, lighting candles, carrying flags of the Army of Republika Srpska, and chanting his name. Similar memorials took place in other towns, with people holding vigils and conducting religious services in memory of the late general. Some prominent political figures, including local leaders, have praised Mladić as a symbol of Serbian resistance, despite the international condemnation of his wartime actions. Meanwhile, Bosnian Muslim officials, including the former mayor of Srebrenica, Ćamil Duraković, have strongly criticized the celebrations in Zvornik, calling them inappropriate. Duraković referred to Srebrenica as a site of mass graves and accused Mladić of orchestrating the genocide against his people. He urged authorities to respond to the glorification of a war criminal, emphasizing that the legacy of such acts should not be honored. As the situation continues to unfold, the contrasting narratives surrounding Mladić’s death highlight the complex and often painful legacies of the Yugoslav wars. While some view his death as a necessary reckoning, others see it as a symbolic end to a chapter marked by conflict and division. The upcoming funeral will likely serve as a focal point for these competing perspectives, reflecting broader tensions over how history is remembered and reconciled.