Ratko Mladic Commemoration Held in Belgrade as N1 Denied Accreditation

Around 150 people waited in two lines outside Belgrade's Serbian Armed Forces Hall on Saturday for a commemoration of Ratko Mladic, while roughly 200 more gathered in a park across the street. Some attendees wore military uniforms, and others arrived in black despite the hot weather.

Mladic's family, former members of the Army of Republika Srpska, politicians and members of the public who support him attended the event. Some supporters wore T-shirts showing Mladic's image alongside the word "Hero." A group traveled by bus from Bosnia and Herzegovina, while disabled war veterans and former Republika Srpska fighters were also present. Crowding at the entrance prevented some people from entering.

Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujic attended the commemoration. N1 television, however, was not allowed to report from the event after organizers rejected an accreditation request submitted on time. The response said media space was limited because many relatives, friends and admirers of Mladic were expected. "Unfortunately, on this occasion we inform you that we are unable to accept your request, given that media space is limited due to the expected attendance of a large number of relatives, friends and admirers of General Ratko Mladic who will attend the commemoration. On behalf of the event organizers and the Mladic family, thank you for your understanding," the organizers wrote.

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Hero

Mladic is scheduled to be buried at Belgrade's Topcider Cemetery on Monday between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. His coffin will remain at the Church of St. Luke in Kosutnjak from 7 a.m., allowing members of the public to pay their respects. The state has said he will receive all honors requested by his family, while nongovernmental organizations have warned that the law does not permit state honors for convicted persons.

The former commander of the Army of Republika Srpska died in The Hague while serving a life sentence. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia sentenced him in 2017 for genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His trial began on May 16, 2012, lasted 530 trial days, heard 592 witnesses and considered nearly 10,000 exhibits.

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Unfortunately, on this occasion we inform you that we are unable to accept your request, given that media space is limited due to the expected attendance of a large number of relatives, friends and admirers of General Ratko Mladic who will attend the commemoration. On behalf of the event organizers and the Mladic family, thank you for your understanding.