EU blasts Serbia over funeral for ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ Ratko Mladić
The European Union has strongly criticized Serbia as thousands of people gathered in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb commander known as the Butcher of Bosnia. Mladic died while serving a life sentence for war crimes and genocide. Serbian authorities allowed public homage despite explicit European Union warnings. A senior European Union official canceled a planned trip to Serbia in direct response to the tribute. The event has deeply divided the nation and highlighted how few in Serbia frankly reckon with his crimes.
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- ✓ Ratko Mladic died while serving a life sentence for war crimes.
- ✓ Mladic's body lay in state in Belgrade on Monday ahead of his funeral.
- ✓ Thousands of people gathered in Belgrade for the funeral.
- ✓ A senior European Union official canceled a trip to Serbia over the planned tribute.
What changed
A senior European Union official canceled a scheduled trip to Serbia over the planned public tribute and funeral proceedings.
Live updates
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EU Slams Serbia Over Funeral for Ratko Mladic
The European Union has strongly criticized Serbia as thousands of people gathered in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb commander known as the Butcher of Bosnia. Mladic died while serving a life sentence for war crimes and genocide. Serbian authorities allowed public homage despite explicit European Union warnings. A senior European Union official canceled a planned trip to Serbia in direct response to the tribute. The event has deeply divided the nation and highlighted how few in Serbia frankly reckon with his crimes.
Why it matters
Ratko Mladic was found guilty of genocide for his role in the Bosnian war, marking Europe's first genocide conviction since World War II. Serbia faces ongoing international scrutiny regarding its willingness to confront the war crimes of the 1990s. Public commemorations for convicted war criminals create severe friction in the country's path toward European integration.
What is confirmed
- Ratko Mladic died while serving a life sentence for war crimes.
- Mladic's body lay in state in Belgrade on Monday ahead of his funeral.
- Thousands of people gathered in Belgrade for the funeral.
- A senior European Union official canceled a trip to Serbia over the planned tribute.
What to watch next
- Further diplomatic fallout between the European Union and Serbian authorities
- Official statements from European Union leadership regarding accession talks
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (8)
- Al Jazeera — Senior EU official cancels Serbia trip over planned tribute to Mladic
- dw.com — Serbia: How the funeral of Ratko Mladic is dividing a nation
- Jacobin — In Serbia, Few Frankly Reckon With Ratko Mladić’s Crimes
- Euronews.com — Bosnian Serb war criminal Mladić commemorated in Belgrade, but no state honours
- politico.eu — EU blasts Serbia over funeral for ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ Ratko Mladić
- apnews.com — Body of war criminal Mladic lies in state in Serbian capital ahead of funeral
- www.cnn.com — War criminal Ratko Mladić to receive full military honors in funeral as crowds gather
- www.yahoo.com — Thousands gather for ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ Ratko Mladic’s funeral
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