• Thousands gather in Belgrade to honor Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal.
• The Serbian government faced backlash from the EU and international leaders.
• Mladic's funeral showcased deep divisions in Serbian society regarding his legacy.
• Attendees included government officials and nationalist supporters.
• The EU condemned the event as a "glorification" of war criminals.

Thousands gathered in Belgrade on September 7 for the funeral of Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb general convicted of war crimes, including genocide during the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, where around 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed. Despite international warnings, notably from the European Union, the proceedings took on the air of a nationalistic tribute, with many attendees viewing Mladic as a national hero. Mladic, often referred to as the "Butcher of Bosnia," died while serving a life sentence in The Hague, having been found guilty of orchestrating atrocities during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995, according to SCMP, BBC, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.

The funeral took place at the Church of St. Luke in Belgrade, with prominent figures attending, including high-ranking government officials and military veterans. Mladic's coffin, draped in a Serbian flag, was carried by soldiers, while crowds chanted his name. Pro-government media broadcast the event live, indicating support for Mladic, perceived by many as a defender of the Serbian people, despite his conviction for genocide. This defiance to EU values, expressed by European officials condemning the glorification of war criminals, showcased the complexities of Serbian nationalism, according to BBC, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.

Mladic's funeral sparked strong reactions, particularly from Bosniak communities and human rights organizations. The EU criticized the event, asserting that it contradicted the core values of the bloc. Marta Kos, the EU's enlargement commissioner, cancelled an official visit to Serbia, emphasizing that glorifying such figures is incompatible with the EU’s principles. Many in Bosnia-Herzegovina expressed that this funeral represents a painful reminder of past atrocities rather than a celebration, highlighting the ongoing divisions in post-war society, according to SCMP and Al Jazeera.

The deeply rooted sentiments within Serbian society support Mladic, particularly among nationalists who view him as a symbol of resistance. His legacy catalyzes national pride among those who oppose Western narratives regarding the Bosnian War, which has influenced both political rhetoric and community attitudes towards historical events. Crowds attending the funeral reinforced a narrative that challenges the established accounts of the war and its implications, fostering a troubling discourse on historical memory within the region, according to BBC and Le Monde.