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On September 7, thousands of mourners gathered at St. Luka Church in Belgrade, Serbia, to pay their respects to Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb commander who died while serving a life sentence for war crimes and genocide. The ceremony took place despite European Union warnings against honoring Mladic, who was convicted of the continent's first case of genocide since World War II.
Mladic's funeral was attended by many, including Serbian military servicemen who stood guard around his coffin. This act of homage has sparked controversy, as it defies the EU's admonitions regarding the glorification of a figure responsible for atrocities during the Bosnian War.
The presence of war veterans and the large turnout at the funeral underscore the ongoing divisions within Serbian society regarding Mladic's legacy, with many viewing him as a hero while others condemn his actions during the conflict.