Belgrade’s Unpacking of a War‑Crime Legend

Tue Sep 08 2026 07:17:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Thousands turned up in Belgrade to give a convicted war criminal, Ratko Mladić, a farewell, sparking debate over memory and justice.

Big crowds gathered at St. Luke’s Church in Belgrade for the funeral of Ratko Mladić, the so‑called “Butcher of Bosnia.” The EU condemned the ceremony, warning that glorifying a war criminal is unacceptable. While Serbian leaders and veterans paid tribute, many survivors slammed the event, calling it painful and a reminder of past atrocities. Even sports fans used the moment to display political imagery, showing how politics can blur into culture.

Belgrade’s Unpacking of a War‑Crime Legend

Thousands of Belgrade residents converged on St. Luke’s Church on September 7, 2026 to give the “Butcher of Bosnia,” Ratko Mladić, a farewell as he died at 84. Even though he was convicted of genocide in 2021, many Serbs still view him as a national hero.

The European Union slammed the ceremony, stating that “glorification of a war criminal has no place in Europe.” Serbian leaders, including the defence minister, joined the mourners – sparking tension with survivors who insist that the past must not be forgotten.

The coffin was flown back on a government plane, carried by six soldiers and draped in flags before being laid out inside the church. Outside, people lit candles and sang, while old soldiers and supporters with flag‑capes marched inside to pay their respects.

Even the football scene joined the mix: Red Star Belgrade fans displayed a tifo of Mladić the night before the funeral, showing how sports culture can intersect with politics.

Some locals, like Zdravka Gvozdjar, say the funeral “reminds of pain” and that Mladić’s legacy must be erased, underscoring the deep wounds that still linger from the Srebrenica massacre.