Serbia says convicted war criminal Mladić to be buried with ‘highest honors’

Live updates

1. 11d ago

   EU Commissioner cancels Serbia visit as government honors Ratko Mladic

   European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos canceled her visit to Serbia on Friday, citing the glorification of Ratko Mladic. The Serbian government plans to bury the former Bosnian Serb army commander with the highest state and military honors. Mladic died in custody in The Hague on August 27 while serving a life sentence for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. His body arrived in Belgrade on September 3, where some residents expressed sorrow while survivors' groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina condemned the state's planned tributes.

   Why it matters

   Mladic led the Bosnian Serb army during the Balkan wars of the early 1990s. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia convicted him in 2017 for his role in atrocities, including the Srebrenica genocide. The Serbian government's decision to provide state honors clashes with EU values and creates tension with neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina.

   What is confirmed

   • Ratko Mladic died in custody in The Hague on August 27.
   • The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia convicted Mladic in 2017 for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
   • Mladic's body arrived in Belgrade on September 3.
   • EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos canceled her visit to Serbia over the glorification of Mladic.
   • The Serbian government intends to bury Mladic with the highest military and state honors.

   What to watch next

   • The date and scale of the funeral ceremony
   • Official Serbian government response to the canceled EU visit
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. www.cfr.org — Mladić and the Genocide That Wasn’t
   2. wtop.com — Body of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic to be flown to Serbia, president says
   3. www.hrw.org — Serbia’s Genocide Denial in Bosnia and Herzegovina
   4. www.nbcnews.com — Serbia accused of ‘glorifying’ convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić ahead of funeral
   5. en.vijesti.me — Marta Kos cancels visit to Serbia over glorification of Mladić
   6. apnews.com — Reaction as body of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic flown to Serbia for funeral
   confidence 100%
2. 16d ago

   Serbia to bury convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic with highest honors

   Serbia will bury Ratko Mladic, a former Bosnian Serb general convicted of genocide, with the highest state honors. Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujic confirmed the government will organize the transport of Mladic's remains from The Hague. This decision follows reports of Mladic's death, which has sparked condemnation from victims and critics who view the state honors as a glorification of a war criminal. Meanwhile, the Serbian president criticized the UN court for not allowing Mladic to return home to die.

   Why it matters

   Mladic was a central figure in the Bosnian war and is linked to the Srebrenica massacre. While international courts convicted him of genocide, he remains a hero to many Bosnian Serbs. This divide persists in the region's current political and social climate.

   What is confirmed

   • Ratko Mladic, a former Bosnian Serb general convicted of genocide, has died.
   • Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujic stated Mladic will be buried with the highest state honors.
   • Serbia intends to ensure the transport of Mladic's remains from The Hague.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Ratko Mladic died at age 83.
   • Ratko Mladic died at age 84.

   What to watch next

   • The Hague Mechanism's announcement of the timeframe and procedures for releasing the remains
   • Official dates and locations for the state funeral in Serbia
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. The New York Times — Ratko Mladic, Murderous ‘Butcher of Bosnia,’ Dies at 83
   2. Reuters — Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic, convicted of genocide, has died, Serbian TV reports
   3. dw.com — The man behind Srebrenica: Ratko Mladic dies at 84
   4. BBC — Allan Little: I met dangerously fanatical Mladić early in Bosnian war
   5. CNN — Serbia says convicted war criminal Mladić to be buried with ‘highest honors’
   6. AP News — Serbia’s president criticizes UN court for not releasing war criminal Mladic to die at home
   7. New Lines Magazine — The House Ratko Mladić Could Not Destroy
   8. The Conversation — Ratko Mladić is still viewed as a hero by many Bosnian Serbs. It’s a reminder how divided my country remains today
   9. The Guardian — ‘The butcher may be gone, but to many he is a hero’: victims condemn glorification of Mladić
   10. www.aljazeera.com — Mladic died a happy man. He won
   11. Al Jazeera — Mladic died a happy man. He won
   12. sarajevotimes.com — Serbian Minister of Justice: Mladic will be buried with full stateS
   confidence 90%