Hundreds gather in Belgrade to honor convicted war leader Ratko Mladic as EU criticism mounts
After his death in The Hague, Ratko Mladic’s remains were flown to Belgrade where they were received by officials and a guard of honor. Several hundred people assembled in front of the Army House, many wearing shirts with his image and praising slogans. President Aleksandar Vučić said he would not attend, citing a pre‑scheduled official visit by the president of Uzbekistan. The ceremony has drawn sharp rebuke from EU officials, who say the tribute conflicts with EU values. The event highlights persistent nationalist sentiment in Serbia and its impact on the country’s EU aspirations.
How this was covered
- Coverage peaked at 7 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
The public honoring of a convicted war criminal and the resulting EU criticism underscore the tension between Serbia’s nationalist currents and its bid for EU membership.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTAll camps report Mladić's death and his war-crimes convictions, but left-leaning coverage stresses regional glorification and criticism of the UN, centrist coverage stresses the factual event and the polarized reactions, while right-leaning coverage stresses his criminal label and the UN’s role.
LEFT
Left-leaning coverage highlights the reverence shown to Mladić by Bosnian Serb supporters and condemns the UN tribunal for denying a humanitarian release.
CENTER
Centrist coverage presents Mladić’s death as a factual development and outlines the divergent regional reactions and historical context.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage underscores Mladić’s status as a convicted war criminal, labels him the “Butcher of Bosnia,” and notes Serbian President Vucic’s criticism of the UN.
The left emphasises
- Hundreds of Bosnian Serbs honor convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić
- Serbia’s president criticizes UN court for ‘uncivilized behavior’ over release denial
- Victims’ relatives expressed satisfaction that he died in prison
The right emphasises
- Ratko Mladić, ‘Butcher of Bosnia,’ died at 84
- UN tribunal convicted him of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes
- Serbian President Vucic raps the UN court for ‘uncivilised’ behaviour
How this story developed
- Aug 27 Former Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic Dies at 84 While In Hague Custody
- Aug 28 Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic criticised the UN court’s handling of Mladic’s death and appealed for his humanitarian release to die in Serbia.
- Sep 3 President Vucic publicly criticised the UN tribunal for denying a request to transfer Mladic to Serbia to die.
- Sep 4 Ratko Mladić died in The Hague while serving a life sentence and his body was repatriated to Belgrade.
- Sep 4 Serbian officials confirmed a state funeral will be held for Ratko Mladić.
- Sep 5 Details of the funeral schedule, locations and ceremony format were disclosed, including a limited ceremony at the House of Serbian Armed Forces and a public service at the Church of San Luca.
- Sep 5 Hundreds gathered in Belgrade to commemorate Mladic.
