R. Mladić died at the end of August, aged 84, serving a life sentence in The Hague for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed during the war – due to this reputation, the international press dubbed him the Bosnian butcher.
Serbian Minister of Justice Nenad Vujičić initially announced “military and state honors” for R. Mladić, causing international outrage. Later, President Aleksandar Vučić softened this decision.
A. Vučić rejected accusations of glorifying the former general and said the funeral would meet the family’s wishes.
R. Mladić’s son Darko (Darkas), who officially organized the funeral, stood by the coffin early Monday as mourners flooded into the church. Many of those present kissed the coffin.
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The service took place in the small St. Luke’s church, not in the large St. Sava sanctuary where state funerals are usually held, but several Serbian ministers attended, as well as the Russian ambassador to the country and former president of the Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik.
A. Vučić previously said the state would ensure the funeral passed safely but added that he personally would not attend due to prior commitments.
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