Serbia hosts commemoration for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić as European Union officials criticize the glorification of his legacy

Serbia held a commemoration for Ratko Mladić, a former Bosnian Serb army commander convicted of genocide and war crimes, at the House of the Serbian Army in Belgrade. Mladić, known as the "Butcher of Bosnia," died while serving a life sentence at The Hague. While Serbian authorities initially planned to grant him full military and state honors, the administration announced that the burial will proceed without state or military honors to accommodate family wishes and avoid European pressure. European Union officials have expressed concern over the glorification of Mladić, who orchestrated the Srebrenica genocide. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos cancelled a planned visit to Serbia, stating that the glorification of a convicted war criminal is incompatible with the values of the EU path. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić dismissed Kos's criticism as "stupid" and noted that the administration would provide logistical support for the funeral. The burial will take place on Monday in Belgrade. Mladić's family, including his son Darko and widow Bosiljka, attended the commemoration. The funeral will be attended by thousands of supporters who consider Mladić a hero.

Sources

• Euronews.com
  Bosnian Serb war criminal Mladić commemorated in Belgrade, but no state honours
• Jacobin
  In Serbia, Few Frankly Reckon With Ratko Mladić’s Crimes
• Balkan Insight
  Serbian, Bosnian Serb Officials Join Hundreds at Ratko Mladic Commemoration

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Paywall and unreadable sources

• The Boston Globe
  Last week, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ died. Here’s how one Revere man survived the worst of his atrocities.
• Reuters
  Body of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic returns to Serbia in government plane