Ratko Mladić, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’, given hero’s funeral in Serbia
Thousands gathered in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal known as the Butcher of Bosnia, who received full military honors. Top Serbian officials attended the ceremony, sparking immediate condemnation from the European Union and Türkiye. EU leaders described the event as shocking, with Ursula von der Leyen slamming the turnout. The ceremony has raised concerns regarding Serbia's path toward EU membership and its commitment to acknowledging the atrocities committed during the Bosnian conflict.
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- ✓ Thousands of people gathered in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic.
- ✓ Ratko Mladic received full military honors during his funeral.
- ✓ Top Serbian officials attended the funeral of Ratko Mladic.
- ✓ European Union officials and leaders described the funeral as shocking and slammed the event.
What changed
The funeral of Ratko Mladic took place in Belgrade with full military honors and attendance by top Serbian officials.
Live updates
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Serbia gives hero's funeral to convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic
Thousands gathered in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal known as the Butcher of Bosnia, who received full military honors. Top Serbian officials attended the ceremony, sparking immediate condemnation from the European Union and Türkiye. EU leaders described the event as shocking, with Ursula von der Leyen slamming the turnout. The ceremony has raised concerns regarding Serbia's path toward EU membership and its commitment to acknowledging the atrocities committed during the Bosnian conflict.
Why it matters
Mladic was convicted by international courts of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. He was specifically found responsible for orchestrating the worst massacre in Europe since World War II at Srebrenica.
What is confirmed
- Thousands of people gathered in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladic.
- Ratko Mladic received full military honors during his funeral.
- Top Serbian officials attended the funeral of Ratko Mladic.
- European Union officials and leaders described the funeral as shocking and slammed the event.
- Ratko Mladic was convicted by international courts of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
- Mladic is referred to as the Butcher of Bosnia.
Still unconfirmed
- The funeral ceremony was exploited in a manner that amounts to denying grave crimes and human suffering, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
What to watch next
- Official EU response regarding Serbia's membership application progress
- Statements from Bosnian Serb representatives regarding the legacy of Mladic
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (17)
- The New York Review of Books — An Exception in World Affairs
- Reuters — Thousands gather in Belgrade for funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic
- The Guardian — Ratko Mladić, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’, given hero’s funeral in Serbia
- CNN — War criminal Ratko Mladić to receive full military honors in funeral as crowds gather
- The New York Times — Thousand of Serbs Gather to Mourn Ratko Mladic, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’
- BBC — Thousands turn out in Serbia for funeral of 'Butcher of Bosnia' Ratko Mladić
- Al Jazeera — Convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic gets hero’s burial in Serbia
- The Jerusalem Post — Reporter's Notebook: Bosnian Serbs reflect on life of Ratko Mladic
- Financial Times — Top Serbian officials attend funeral of war criminal Ratko Mladić
- Al Jazeera — Burying Mladic: Were no lessons learned?
- U.S. News & World Report — EU's Von Der Leyen Slams Turnout for Mladic's Funeral
- Euronews.com — EU institution leaders blast Serbia over 'shocking' Mladić's funeral
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