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Thousands attend Mladić funeral in Belgrade
Thousands attended Ratko Mladić’s military-honours funeral, renewing divisions over Serbia’s treatment of a convicted genocide perpetrator.
What happened
Ratko Mladić, a former Bosnian Serb military commander convicted of genocide and other crimes during the Bosnian war, was buried in Belgrade on 7 September. Thousands attended the Orthodox service and procession. Serbia did not permit a state funeral, but military honours were given. President Aleksandar Vučić did not attend.
Numbers
- ThousandsPeople at the Belgrade funeral
- More than 8,000Killed at Srebrenica in 1995
- Two diplomatsSerbian diplomats expelled by Bosnia-Herzegovina
- 48 hoursDeadline to leave Bosnia-Herzegovina
Questions
- Why did the funeral draw criticism?
- Mladić’s convictions included genocide over the 1995 killing of more than 8,000 Bosniak civilians and prisoners in Srebrenica.
- How did Bosnia-Herzegovina respond?
- Bosnia-Herzegovina expelled two Serbian diplomats and suspended plans to sign a regional cooperation agreement after the public funeral.
- When did his sentence become final?
- An international tribunal sentenced Mladić to life imprisonment in 2017; an appeal judgment confirmed the conviction and sentence in 2021.
- Why was Vučić absent?
- Vučić cited a previously scheduled visit by Uzbekistan’s president; coverage also linked his absence to European Union criticism.
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Support and opposition
Who supports this, and why
Supporters of military honours — A military farewell respects family wishes and the former commander’s service without making it a state funeral.
Who opposes this, and why
Critics of the honours — Military honours for a genocide convict glorify crimes and obstruct reconciliation with survivors and relatives.
The catch
Coverage gives conflicting ages at death and no complete official list of attendees.