Reporter's Notebook: The two faces of General Ratko Mladic

The death of former Bosnian Serb Army commander Ratko Mladic on August 27 at age 84, while serving a life sentence for genocide and war crimes, has highlighted the deep divisions surrounding his legacy. In Republika Srpska, many residents and political figures, including President Milorad Dodik, view Mladic as a hero who defended Serbs, despite his conviction by the ICTY for the Srebrenica massacre and other atrocities. A memorial appeared in Banja Luka, and thousands attended his funeral in Belgrade, carrying Serbian flags and photos. Dodik stated, "Mladic defended us when we were under attack," and argued that Western and Muslim condemnation has inadvertently made Mladic an "icon of identification for the Serbs." This reverence, even among younger generations, contrasts sharply with international condemnation and has led to renewed tensions, including the cancellation of an EU official's visit to Serbia.