Türkiye Issues Statement on Ratko Mladić Funeral

Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on 8 September 2026 that Ratko Mladić’s funeral must not be used to deny crimes established by international courts or to disregard the suffering of victims.

In a written response attributed to Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli, Ankara said attempts to reject judicial rulings or glorify people convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes deepen the pain of victims and their families. The Ministry also warned that such conduct damages long-running efforts to strengthen peace and reconciliation across the Balkans.

Call for peace and reconciliation in the Balkans

Türkiye called on countries and communities in the region to draw lessons from the past and work together for a peaceful, prosperous and shared future. The statement commemorated the victims of the Srebrenica genocide and all civilians killed during the Bosnian War, while extending sympathy to their relatives.

Mladić’s funeral was held in Belgrade on 7 September 2026. The United States Embassy in Belgrade had issued security information concerning a commemorative event on 5 September and the funeral two days later.

Convictions upheld on appeal

According to records of the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Mladić was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2017 after being convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war. The Appeals Chamber upheld the convictions and life sentence on 8 June 2021.

Funeral date: 7 September 2026
Türkiye’s statement: 8 September 2026

Full report in Turkish: Türkiye’den Ratko Mladiç’in Cenaze Törenine İlişkin Açıklama

Sources:
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs
UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
U.S. Embassy in Belgrade