Mladic Funeral Draws Thousands in Belgrade Amid EU Backlash

Belgrade, Serbia

14h ago

OLIVER BUNIC / AFP via Getty Images/Getty

Source Analysis

Coverage

397 sources

Bias

Balanced

Factuality

High

Ownership

Conglomerate

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What Happened

Serbian authorities and Mladic’s family held a public funeral in Belgrade, flying his coffin on a government plane, draping it in national flags with military honours as thousands attended. Led by Patriarch Porfirije, the service drew EU condemnation and prompted EU commissioner Marta Kos to cancel a visit.

Key Implications

In Sarajevo, the funeral revived war memories, and Zdravka Gvozdjar said it was horrible to see the event in Belgrade, adding that Mladić should be erased from memory and remembered only as a butcher. The Associated Press said the death has stirred feelings tied to Yugoslavia's breakup and the Balkan conflicts.

What Happened

Key Implications

Where Sources Agree

arrows_inputFuneral Ceremony Details: Several reports converge on the funeral held at Belgrade’s St. Luka Church, where thousands of mourners gathered to pay respects before the former general was buried at Topcider Cemetery with military honors, according to news reports and official accounts.
arrows_inputEU Diplomatic Backlash: Various sources indicate that EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos canceled her upcoming visit to Serbia in protest; this decision stems from the view that glorifying a convicted war criminal is incompatible with the values required for EU membership, according to official European Union statements.
arrows_inputPresident Vucic's Funeral Absence: Several outlets confirm that President Aleksandar Vucic did not attend the funeral, citing a scheduled visit by the Uzbek president while dismissing European Union criticism of the event as "stupid," according to official statements.

Where Sources Disagree

arrows_outputMladić Funeral Honors: Initial government statements suggested Mladić would be granted both state and military honors; however, final funeral reports confirm he was buried with military honors only, following President Vucic’s decision to temper the arrangements.
arrows_outputMladić Legacy Disputed: While many Serbian nationalists and mourners honor Ratko Mladić as a "hero" and protector of the Serbian people, international institutions, EU officials, and victims' groups condemn the event, citing his conviction for genocide and war crimes as the "Butcher of Bosnia."

Timeline

September 7, 2026

EU and regional backlash: European officials condemned the public homage as glorification of a convicted genocidaire, prompting EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos to cancel a visit and the EU to denounce the celebrations as incompatible with its values. Regional victims' groups and international leaders also urged action and criticized Serbia's honors.

September 7, 2026

Nationalist displays and tributes: Since his death nationalist admirers held vigils, painted murals, lit flares and displayed large images of Mladic at events including a Red Star Belgrade football match; free buses were organised from Bosnia and Serbian towns for those paying respects. Crowds waved flags bearing his face and many attendees were war veterans.

September 7, 2026

Funeral procession and burial: A slow procession carried Mladic's coffin through Belgrade to Topcider cemetery where he was buried in a service led by the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church; soldiers and veterans flanked the casket and crowds numbered in the thousands. Serbian ministers and foreign guests, including Russia’s ambassador, attended while the coffin was displayed before the funeral service.