Bosnia expels two Serbian embassy diplomats in protest over Mladic funeral

Live updates

1. 5d ago

   Bosnia Expels Serbian Diplomats Over Mladic Funeral

   Bosnia has expelled two diplomats from the Serbian embassy in response to the high-profile funeral given to convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic in Serbia. Thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects to the man widely known as the Butcher of Bosnia, who received full military honors during the services. The public turnout and official treatment sparked swift international condemnation, with European Union and United Kingdom leaders expressing severe dismay over the commemorations. In a coordinated diplomatic backlash, the United Kingdom also summoned a Serbian diplomat to address the country's controversial role in the memorial events.

   Why it matters

   Ratko Mladic was a central military figure during the conflicts in the Balkans in the 1990s, leaving a legacy of mass atrocities that deeply fractured the region. The decision by Serbian authorities to grant him full military honors and a hero-style funeral has reignited regional tensions between Serbia and neighboring Bosnia. International organizations view these public tributes as a dangerous glorification of convicted war criminals that undermines ongoing reconciliation efforts in the Western Balkans.

   What is confirmed

   • Bosnia expelled two Serbian embassy diplomats in protest over the funeral for Ratko Mladic.
   • Ratko Mladic received full military honors during a funeral in Serbia that drew thousands of mourners.
   • European Union and United Kingdom officials expressed dismay and slammed the turnout and official treatment at the funeral.
   • The United Kingdom summoned a Serbian diplomat over the country's role in the funeral.

   What to watch next

   • Further diplomatic retaliation or retaliatory expulsions between Bosnia and Serbia
   • Official responses from the Serbian government regarding the expulsion of its diplomats
   • Potential statements or actions from international bodies regarding regional stability
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. The New York Review of Books — An Exception in World Affairs
   2. The Guardian — Ratko Mladić, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’, given hero’s funeral in Serbia
   3. CNN — War criminal Ratko Mladić to receive full military honors in funeral as crowds gather
   4. The New York Times — Thousand of Serbs Gather to Mourn Ratko Mladic, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’
   5. BBC — Thousands turn out in Serbia for funeral of 'Butcher of Bosnia' Ratko Mladić
   6. Al Jazeera — Burying Mladic: Were no lessons learned?
   7. reuters.com — EU's von der Leyen slams turnout for Mladic's funeral
   8. Reuters — Bosnia expels two Serbian embassy diplomats in protest over Mladic funeral
   9. dw.com — EU, UK express dismay over Mladic funeral in Serbia
   10. Sky News — UK summons Serbian diplomat over country's role in 'Butcher of Bosnia' funeral
   11. dw.com — Bosnia: The long shadow cast by Ratko Mladic's coffin
   confidence 100%