Ratko Mladic buried today at Topcider Cemetery in Belgrade

Ratko Mladic, the former commander of the Army of the Republika Srpska who died in The Hague while serving a life sentence for genocide and other war crimes, is being buried today at Topcider Cemetery in Belgrade.

Ceremony and route

The late commander's body is on public display in the Church of St. Luke in the Vidikovac neighbourhood from 07:00 until 12:00, ahead of a funeral service scheduled to begin at 12:00. Some Belgrade media have reported that Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Porfirije will take part in the church rite, but that has not been officially confirmed.

Svetozar Andrić, a member of the funeral organising team, told organisers that after the service a funeral procession will move to Topcider Cemetery, where Mladic will be buried beside his daughter Ana. The remains are to be escorted by an honour guard, after which farewell speeches are expected. Andrić said plans are in place to organise transport for citizens arriving from Republika Srpska and Serbia.

Announcements on social media indicate that some municipalities in Republika Srpska and Montenegro have arranged transport for those who wish to attend. On the ground near St. Luke, organisers set up a large video screen, temporary toilets and finalised logistical preparations; Serbian flags have been placed at the church entrances and clergy asked volunteers to help with distribution of water and candles because a large turnout is expected.

There are no indications that Serbia’s top state officials will attend the funeral. President Aleksandar Vučić said he will meet with Uzbekistan’s president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during that period — a visit that had been scheduled months ago.

Some Serbian officials did take part in a commemoration held last Saturday at the House of the Army in Belgrade: Justice Minister Nenad Vujić, the Republika Srpska official Siniša Karan, and Radan Ostojić, minister for labour and veterans’ protection of the entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

European Commission Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos cancelled a visit to Belgrade that had been planned for 10 September, citing the aftermath of Mladic’s death and the public displays of praise that followed. She said that “the glorification that follows his death is not in line with the values on which the European path is founded.” President Vučić called the commissioner’s reaction “ill‑considered.”

Mladic’s son Darko, speaking on television, asked those planning to attend not to buy flowers but instead to donate funds to charities treating sick children. He previously alleged that his father died because of inadequate treatment in the prison hospital and urged citizens to ensure a peaceful and dignified farewell.

Ratko Mladic died on 27 August at the age of 84, in the prison hospital in The Hague where he was serving a life sentence for war crimes and the Srebrenica genocide.

Photo: press material from the event