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The body of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic arrived in Belgrade on Thursday aboard a Serbian government plane, returning from The Hague where he died last week while serving a life sentence for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes during Bosnia’s 1992-95 war.
The coffin, draped in the Serbian flag, was met at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport by Justice Minister Nenad Vujic, Mladic’s son Darko, and an honor guard of six soldiers. A motorcade with police escorts then transported the remains to the Military Medical Academy, where an autopsy will be performed at the family’s request, deputy head Ivan Lekovic said. All findings will be shared with the family and relevant institutions, he added.
President Aleksandar Vucic said the state would provide full logistical and security support for the transfer and funeral, which officials estimate could draw tens of thousands of attendees. Pro-government media reported a military commemoration is planned for Saturday at the Army Hall, with the funeral expected Monday at Topčider Cemetery, though the family has yet to confirm details.
Mladic, 84, died on Aug. 27 in a UN detention facility in the Netherlands. The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals confirmed his remains were handed over to his next of kin at Rotterdam The Hague Airport on Thursday.
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