A large crowd of Serbs has gathered to pay their final respects to Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb military commander known as the "Butcher of Bosnia," whose trial for war crimes marked one of the most significant legal efforts to hold accountable those responsible for atrocities during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s. Mladic, who faced charges including genocide and crimes against humanity, was found guilty by an international tribunal after a lengthy legal battle, though his supporters have long denied his involvement in the violence. The funeral proceedings reflect deep divisions over his legacy, with critics viewing him as a symbol of ethnic cleansing while others see him as a wartime leader. The event underscores the enduring tensions surrounding justice, memory, and reconciliation in the region.
Thousands of Serbs Gather to Mourn Ratko Mladic, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ nytimes.com
