EU says no place for 'glorification of war criminals' after Mladic buried

A burial ceremony for former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic took place in Belgrade, Serbia, on September 7, 2026. Serbian national military servicemen stood in an honor guard around the coffin during the ceremony. At one point, a man was seen touching the cross placed on the coffin.

The ceremony drew international attention and reaction. The European Union issued a statement stressing that there is no place in today's Europe for the glorification or celebration of war criminals. EU officials indicated that such public ceremonies, and the presence of official representatives at them, raise concerns.

International attention

The event in Belgrade attracted wide media coverage. It was reported by several international outlets, including French broadcaster France 24, which published a video segment from the burial ceremony showing the presence of military personnel and the proceedings around the coffin.

The EU's statement is seen as part of the bloc's broader stance on the commemoration of war crimes and the interpretation of history in the Balkans, a region where past conflicts continue to create tension between different communities and states.