Funeral of former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic held in Belgrade

The funeral of Ratko Mladic, the former military commander of the Bosnian Serbs, took place today in Belgrade. Mladic, who was 84, died on August 27, 2026, while serving a life sentence at the United Nations detention facility in The Hague for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War.

His remains were lying in state at the Church of Saint Luke in the Kosutnjak district, where thousands of supporters and veterans gathered to pay their respects. Serbian soldiers in combat uniforms stood as guards of honor alongside his coffin, which was draped with a flag and adorned with his military cap and sword. The remains were transported from the Netherlands to Serbia via a government aircraft. Following the public viewing, a burial ceremony was scheduled at the Topcider cemetery.

Although the family organized the event, the involvement of the Serbian military and state logistics, such as the use of a government plane, has drawn significant international attention. Reports indicate that the state provided substantial support for the proceedings despite warnings from the European Union regarding the glorification of war criminals. Large LED screens were installed outside the church to accommodate the high turnout of mourners from Serbia, Republika Srpska, and the diaspora.