Serbia ignores EU appeal as “Butcher of Bosnia” Ratko Mladic receives an official-style funeral

Thousands of people gathered in Belgrade to pay tribute to Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb commander who died while serving a life sentence for war crimes at The Hague.

His coffin lay in state at the Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Luke, where crowds began arriving early. The ceremony took place despite warnings from the European Union that Serbia should not grant official honors to the man known as the “Butcher of Bosnia” and the “Butcher of Srebrenica.”

Mladic’s military cap and sword were placed on the coffin. Serbian soldiers in field uniforms stood on both sides. The display drew strong reactions because part of Serbia’s population still regards Mladic as a hero, despite his conviction by a United Nations tribunal for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“

He was a man who gave his whole life to the Serbian people, in Kosovo, Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia.

The tribunal found Mladic responsible for his role in the Bosnian war, particularly the Srebrenica massacre, which has been classified as genocide and remains one of the darkest episodes of the wars that broke up Yugoslavia.

Among those who traveled to Belgrade was Milan Dobric, who came from Kosovo. “He was a man who gave his whole life to the Serbian people, in Kosovo, Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia,” Dobric said. “I am glad that people are coming this morning to pay him special tribute.” The public honors have again exposed Serbia’s deep divisions over the legacy of the 1990s wars and the delicate balance in its relations with the EU.

“

I am glad that people are coming this morning to pay him special tribute.