Ratko Mladic's Funeral Sparks Controversy and Division in Serbia and Beyond

On September 7, 2026, thousands gathered in Belgrade to bid farewell to Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb general notorious for his role in the genocide during the Bosnian War. Mladic passed away while serving a life sentence for war crimes, including his involvement in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, which claimed around 8,000 lives.

The funeral service was held at the Church of St. Luke, where Serbia's Orthodox Patriarch Porfirije officiated. Crowds brandishing Serbian flags and images of Mladic filled the streets, chanting his name as his coffin, flanked by armed soldiers and a brass band, was escorted to a nearby burial site. Mladic was laid to rest alongside his daughter, who died in 1994.

A Hero to Some

This funeral marked one of Serbia's largest public gatherings since the fall of communism, highlighting Mladic's enduring legacy among certain factions within Serbia and the Bosnian Serb Republic. Attendees expressed admiration for Mladic, with one individual declaring, "He is a hero… a great military strategist." Such sentiments underscore the complex and often painful history stemming from the breakup of Yugoslavia.

International Backlash

Mladic's death has provoked strong reactions both domestically and internationally. EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos postponed her visit to Serbia, criticizing the glorification of Mladic and the government's involvement in the funeral. An EU spokesperson emphasized that any celebration of war criminals undermines essential European values, reinforcing the bloc's stance against such commemorations.

Meanwhile, the funeral reignited painful memories in Bosnia, where officials condemned the event. Bosnia’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic announced plans to reduce embassy staff in Belgrade in protest. Many Bosnians, like retired pharmacist Zdravka Gvozdjar, who lost her son during the war, expressed deep sorrow and anger at the glorification of Mladic, asserting, "He should be remembered only as a butcher."

Source: www.thehindu.com