World News
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic criticizes UN court following death of Ratko Mladic
Former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic died in custody at age 84, a week after his humanitarian release request was denied.
The short version
- Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb general convicted of genocide and war crimes, died in UN custody on August 27, 2026, at the age of 84.
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused the UN war crimes court of "uncivilized behavior" for refusing to grant Mladic an early release to die at home.
- While Bosnian Serbs held vigils to mourn Mladic, victims' families expressed satisfaction that the convicted war criminal died behind bars.
Key facts
- Ratko Mladic died in custody on Thursday, August 27, 2026, while serving a life sentence for war crimes, including the 1995 Srebrenica massacre and the siege of Sarajevo.[Associated Press]
- Mladic's death occurred one week after UN Judge Graciela Gatti Santana denied his latest request for early release on humanitarian grounds, citing the comprehensive medical care and family visitation he was receiving in custody.[Associated Press]
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused the UN court of "uncivilized behavior" and claimed that they "wanted Mladic to die behind bars."[Associated Press]
- The UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals has initiated an inquiry into Mladic's death, with the investigating judge visiting the detention center.[Associated Press]
- President Vucic stated that Serbia will assist in providing a dignified burial if his family decides to hold it in Serbia, though he did not confirm reports of a state funeral.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It is not yet confirmed when Mladic's body will be released, where his family will choose to bury him, or whether he will receive a state funeral in Serbia.[Associated Press]