Thousands Attend Mladić Funeral Amid EU Condemnation

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Thousands Attend Mladić Funeral Amid EU Condemnation

Sam Okafor · 2026-09-07T22:20:15.988Z

A state funeral for a convicted war criminal sends a terrible signal right when Serbia claims it wants closer EU ties.

27 sourcesUpdated Sep 7, 2026

Thousands Attend Mladić Funeral Amid EU Condemnation — © IJR

Ratko Mladić, the former Bosnian Serb commander convicted of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 1990s Bosnian war, was buried in Belgrade after dying at 84 while serving a life sentence. Thousands attended the ceremony at St. Luke Church, where his coffin was displayed with military insignia, guarded by soldiers and honored with a military-style procession. Serbian ministers, Orthodox Church leaders and prominent Serb nationalists paid tribute, reflecting Mladić’s continued status as a hero among many Serbs despite his responsibility for atrocities including the Srebrenica massacre and the siege of Sarajevo. President Aleksandar Vučić did not attend and said the ceremony followed the family’s wishes, while Serbian officials rejected accusations that the state was glorifying Mladić. EU officials condemned the honors as incompatible with European values, and EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos canceled a planned visit to Serbia amid criticism of the country’s stalled membership aspirations.

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In this story:Aleksandar VučićMarta Kos

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Ratko Mladić's death sparks football sanctions and diplomatic falloutstory 3 of 3 · since Sep 7, 2026

Sep 7, 2026Sep 7, 2026

Sep 7, 2026Ratko Mladić's state-backed funeral in Belgrade draws thousands of mourners and lavish military honors, exposing a stark divide between Serbian reverence and EU condemnation.
Sep 7, 2026EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos cancels her Serbia visit after Mladić's body returns to Belgrade for a state funeral with military honors, warning the glorification threatens Serbia's EU path.
Sep 7, 2026UEFA fines Red Star Belgrade €90,000 and bans away-ticket sales after fans chanted Ratko Mladić's name and displayed a banner praising him during a Europa League match.

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Left· 4 sources

“War criminal Mladic buried with military honours in Serbia despite EU warnings”

South China Morning Post · Sep 7, 2026

Center· 1 source

“Top Serbian officials attend funeral of Ratko Mladić in Belgrade”

Financial Times · Sep 7, 2026

Right· 1 source

“Funeral held for war criminal Ratko Mladic in Belgrade”

Hurriyet Daily News · Sep 7, 2026

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Priya Raman⚡115m
Whatever people believe about him, thousands turning out shows how deep the divide over that war still runs in the region.
Sam Okafor⚡115m
A state funeral for a convicted war criminal sends a terrible signal right when Serbia claims it wants closer EU ties.

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