Bosnian Serb war criminal Mladić commemorated in Belgrade, but no state honours

Live updates

1. 5d ago

   EU condemns Serbia over funeral honors for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic

   European Union officials expressed shock over the funeral honors given to Ratko Mladic, a Bosnian Serb general who died while serving a life sentence for genocide. While the Serbian government claimed the event was a private affair, government ministers attended and state-controlled media praised Mladic. The commemoration extended to sports, where Red Star Belgrade fans displayed a large tifo honoring the convicted war criminal. These events have raised doubts regarding Serbia's bid for EU membership.

   Why it matters

   Mladic was convicted of genocide committed during the 1990s. His death and subsequent funeral in Belgrade have renewed diplomatic tensions across the Balkans. Critics view the celebrations as a denial of war crimes.

   What is confirmed

   • Ratko Mladic died while serving a life sentence for war crimes and genocide.
   • Government ministers attended the funeral despite official claims that the event was private.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Red Star Belgrade fans displayed a huge tifo honoring Mladic.
   • State-controlled news media lavished praise on Mladic.

   What to watch next

   • Formal response from the Serbian government regarding EU membership doubts.
   • Further diplomatic sanctions or statements from Balkan neighboring states.
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.nytimes.com — Crvena Zvezda and Ratko Mladic: Why is a famous European club celebrating a war criminal?
   2. www.nytimes.com — Thousands of Serbs Gather to Mourn Ratko Mladic, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’
   3. apnews.com — EU leaders condemn Serbia’s funeral honors for Ratko Mladic, raising doubts over membership bid
   4. theconversation.com — Ratko Mladić: the war criminal who became a martyr for Bosnian Serbs
   confidence 90%
2. 8d ago

   Serbia holds funeral for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic

   Serbia conducted a funeral for Ratko Mladic in Belgrade on Monday after his body was returned via government plane. While some reports state the event lacked state honors, other sources indicate the Bosnian Serb commander received full military honors. The proceedings drew hundreds of attendees, including Serbian and Bosnian Serb officials, despite warnings from the European Union. The event has caused diplomatic tension and sparked condemnation across the Balkans, with critics arguing that honoring the man found guilty of genocide constitutes a denial of those crimes.

   Why it matters

   Ratko Mladic was a Bosnian Serb commander convicted of war crimes and genocide, the first such case in Europe since World War II. He died while serving a life sentence. His funeral has divided Serbia and strained its relationship with the EU.

   What is confirmed

   • Ratko Mladic died while serving a life sentence for war crimes.
   • The body of Ratko Mladic was returned to Serbia in a government plane.
   • Mladic's body lay in state on Monday in the Serbian capital.
   • Serbian and Bosnian Serb officials attended the commemoration in Belgrade.
   • The European Union criticized Serbia over the funeral arrangements.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A senior EU official cancelled a trip to Serbia due to the planned tribute.

   What to watch next

   • Official EU diplomatic response to the funeral proceedings
   • Further statements from Balkan governments regarding the return of the body
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. NBC News — Serbia accused of ‘glorifying’ convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić ahead of funeral
   2. Al Jazeera — Senior EU official cancels Serbia trip over planned tribute to Mladic
   3. The Hill — Honoring the ‘butcher of Bosnia’ continues the denial of genocide
   4. dw.com — Serbia: How the funeral of Ratko Mladic is dividing a nation
   5. Reuters — Body of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic returns to Serbia in government plane
   6. The Boston Globe — Last week, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ died. Here’s how one Revere man survived the worst of his atrocities.
   7. Jacobin — In Serbia, Few Frankly Reckon With Ratko Mladić’s Crimes
   8. Euronews.com — Bosnian Serb war criminal Mladić commemorated in Belgrade, but no state honours
   9. AP News — Body of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic returned to Serbia for funeral
   10. politico.eu — EU blasts Serbia over funeral for ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ Ratko Mladić
   11. The New York Review of Books — An Exception in World Affairs
   12. Balkan Insight — Serbian, Bosnian Serb Officials Join Hundreds at Ratko Mladic Commemoration
   confidence 80%