Ratko Mladić's Funeral Sparks International Outcry

• •Ratko Mladić's funeral in Belgrade was attended by thousands, despite his war crimes conviction.
• •The EU has condemned the glorification of Mladić, questioning Serbia's EU membership prospects.
• •Mladić's legacy continues to polarize Serbian society and complicate reconciliation efforts.

On September 7, 2026, Ratko Mladić, a convicted war criminal known as the 'Butcher of Bosnia,' was buried in Belgrade with military honors, attended by thousands. His funeral, which included a procession and military symbolism, has drawn international condemnation, particularly from EU officials who question its compatibility with European values. Mladić was convicted in 2017 for genocide and war crimes related to the Srebrenica massacre, where over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed. Despite his conviction, many in Serbia view him as a national hero, reflecting a troubling politics of memory regarding the 1990s wars. The event has raised serious concerns about Serbia's EU accession prospects, as it highlights the country's struggle to confront its violent past. European officials, including the EU's enlargement commissioner, have expressed that glorifying war criminals contradicts the values required for EU membership. The situation underscores the ongoing tension between Serbia's historical narratives and its European aspirations.