Commemoration for Ratko Mladic Held in Belgrade Ahead of Burial

Belgrade hosted a commemoration on Saturday for Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb military leader convicted of war crimes, two days before his scheduled burial. Dozens of former military personnel, members of Mladic’s family and a handful of officials gathered at a central venue in the capital, laying wreaths and observing a moment of silence in his memory. The ceremony, organized by close associates of the late general, was attended by individuals who publicly expressed solidarity with Mladic despite his International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) convictions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The event underscores the lingering divisions within the region over the legacy of the 1990s conflicts, as authorities prepare for Mladic’s interment in a family plot in his native village. While the Serbian government has not officially endorsed the gathering, it has allowed the burial to proceed, citing legal and humanitarian considerations. The commemoration and forthcoming funeral are expected to draw further attention from international observers monitoring the handling of post‑conflict reconciliation and the treatment of individuals convicted of mass atrocities.