Bosnian Serb official files criminal complaint over tribute to genocide convict Ratko Mladic

Camil Durakovic, Vice President of Bosnia's Republika Srpska entity, has filed a criminal complaint against Andrija Mandic, the Speaker of Montenegro's Parliament. The complaint was lodged with Montenegro’s Higher State Prosecutor’s Office and concerns Mandic's public tribute to Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb military leader convicted of genocide and war crimes.

Durakovic asserted that Mandic's actions constitute a grave insult to the dignity of victims, their families, and all who uphold truth and justice. "When the president of the highest legislative body of a neighboring country speaks publicly and affirmatively about a man convicted of genocide, he sends a message that directly undermines trust between peoples, relativizes judicially established facts and compromises Montenegro’s reputation," Durakovic stated.

The Vice President also called for Mandic's immediate removal from his parliamentary leadership role, arguing that such a senior official cannot publicly question respect for international court judgments and the dignity of genocide victims. Durakovic welcomed the distancing statements from Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic and President Jakov Milatovic, viewing them as confirmation that Montenegro's institutions must respect international rulings and protect victims.

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When the president of the highest legislative body of a neighboring country speaks publicly and affirmatively about a man convicted of genocide, he sends a message that directly undermines trust between peoples, relativizes judicially established facts and compromises Montenegro’s reputation.

Furthermore, Durakovic linked the issue to Montenegro's European Union membership aspirations, emphasizing that integration requires a clear stance against war crimes denial and glorification. He believes Mandic's removal would serve as an act of political accountability, signaling that Montenegro, as it pursues European integration, has no place for the relativization of genocide or the public rehabilitation of its perpetrators.

Mandic, who also leads the New Serb Democracy party, had previously announced on X that he sent condolences to Ratko Mladic's son, Darko, following the general's death.

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I have just sent condolences to Darko Mladic, on my own behalf and on behalf of New Serb Democracy, following the death of his father, General Ratko Mladic.