Why This Matters

• The return of Mladic's body with military honours risks reigniting ethnic tensions in the Balkans, as many Serbs view him as a hero while others see him as a symbol of wartime brutality.
• The ceremony signals a continuing political divide in Serbia over how to confront the legacy of the Bosnian War.
• The event may complicate Serbia's relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and the broader international community, which still seeks justice for war crimes victims.

Background

Ratko Mladic was the commander of the Bosnian Serb army during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War, a conflict that killed over 100,000 people and displaced millions. He was indicted by the ICTY for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, including the Srebrenica massacre in 1995, where over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed. He was arrested in 2011 after years on the run and convicted in 2017, receiving a life sentence. His death was announced earlier this year, but the exact date and cause remain undisclosed.

Key Perspectives

Serbian nationalists: Many see Mladic as a defender of Serb interests and a war hero, viewing the military honours as a fitting tribute. Victims' families and Bosniak community: The honours are seen as an insult to the memory of the victims, as Mladic was convicted of orchestrating genocide. International community: The ICTY and human rights groups have expressed concern that the ceremony undermines the tribunal's legacy and the principle of accountability for war crimes.

What to Watch

• The response from Bosnia's government and the international community, including possible condemnation or diplomatic moves.
• Whether Serbia's government will allow a public funeral or burial that could become a nationalist rallying point.
• Protests or counter-demonstrations by civil society groups and victims' associations in the region.