**Thousands Gather in Belgrade for Funeral of War Criminal Ratko Mladic**
Belgrade, Serbia – A significant gathering took place in front of a church in Belgrade as thousands of individuals came to pay their respects to Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb General who passed away last week while serving a life sentence for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Mladic, who was convicted for his involvement in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre and the siege of Sarajevo, remains a controversial and revered figure among many Serbs in Serbia and Bosnia’s autonomous Serb Republic.
Early on Monday, mourners began to arrive at the church, lighting candles and carrying Serbian flags alongside images of Mladic adorned in a traditional Serbian military cap. The gathering was facilitated by free bus services that were provided from various towns across Serbia and Bosnia, allowing those who wished to attend the funeral to do so without financial burden. Mladic’s coffin was displayed prominently inside the church, guarded by six men, primarily war veterans from Serbia and Bosnia, who took turns standing watch. Family members, including Mladic’s wife, son, and grandchildren, received condolences from attendees.
Jovan Vincic, a resident of Belgrade, expressed his sentiments about Mladic’s legacy, stating, “Time will tell, time is the best judge who will show what kind of person is who and to whom.” His comments reflect the complex emotions surrounding Mladic’s life and actions, which continue to resonate deeply within the region.
The death of Mladic has reignited discussions and strong feelings related to the conflicts that arose from the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Mladic was found guilty by the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for his role in the Srebrenica massacre, where approximately 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were killed after Bosnian Serb forces captured the U.N.-designated safe area. Additionally, he was convicted for his involvement in the 43-month siege of Sarajevo, during which around 10,000 people lost their lives.
The response to Mladic's death has drawn international attention, prompting EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos to postpone her visit to Serbia. She cited concerns over what she described as the “glorification” of Mladic following his death, which included the use of a government plane to return his body to Serbia. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic responded to these statements but did not confirm whether he would attend the funeral service, which was scheduled to be conducted by the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
In Sarajevo, the funeral has rekindled painful memories for many, particularly for those who suffered losses during the war. Zdravka Gvozdjar, a retired pharmacist whose nine-year-old son was killed during the siege of Sarajevo by a grenade fired by Mladic-led forces, expressed her dismay at the event. “It is really horrible that this is taking place there (in Belgrade) because I know there are normal people who are against it,” she said. Gvozdjar emphasized that Mladic should not be honored, stating, “He only deserved to be erased from memory for good, not to be … promoted as a hero. He should be remembered only as a butcher.”
As the funeral service commenced, the divide in public sentiment regarding Mladic's legacy was evident, highlighting the ongoing complexities of post-war reconciliation in the Balkans. The event serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of the Yugoslav Wars and the differing perspectives on figures like Mladic, who evoke both reverence and revulsion among the populations affected by his actions.
Mladic is set to be buried in a nearby cemetery beside his daughter, who passed away in 1994, marking the end of a life that has left an indelible mark on the history of the region. The reactions to his death and funeral underscore the challenges that continue to confront societies grappling with the legacies of conflict and the quest for justice and reconciliation.