Ratko Mladic died in custody at the Hague while awaiting the final disposition of his remains, sparking an international disciplinary case after supporters and a top Serbian club celebrated the convicted war criminal, according to reports by Italian correspondents and international wire services.
UN Investigation Delays Mladic Repatriation and Funeral
The UN Residual Mechanism announced that no definitive timeline exists for releasing the body of Mladic, who died at the age of 84 while serving a life sentence for the Srebrenica genocidal campaign, war crimes, and crimes against humanity during the siege of Sarajevo. According to court documents cited by reporters, Mechanism President Graciela Gatti Santana issued an order appointing Judge Ian Bonomy to lead the standard detention-facility death inquiry. Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujic previously announced plans for a state funeral with full military honors, but state media and officials noted that the ongoing Hague inquiry has no statutory deadline, leaving the exact return date of the remains uncertain. The family retains the legal right to select the final burial location once the UN tribunal concludes its investigation.
UEFA Disciplinary Proceedings Against Crvena Zvezda
European football’s governing body opened disciplinary proceedings against the Serbian club Crvena Zvezda, known internationally as Red Star Belgrade, following fan demonstrations honoring Mladic during an Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen. According to coverage from outlets such as The Athletic and Gazzetta dello Sport, supporters in the away section displayed a banner reading General, eternal glory and gratitude
and chanted the former general’s name. The club’s official social media accounts subsequently shared images of the coreography accompanied by a military salute emoji, drawing immediate backlash. In response to the digital posts and stadium chants, the Srebrenica Memorial Center filed a formal complaint with UEFA, urging the permanent disqualification of the Belgrade club from European competitions.
Disciplinary Charges and Historical Precedents
UEFA charged Crvena Zvezda with three specific violations: racist or discriminatory conduct, the transmission of a message unsuited for a sporting event, and team misconduct. In November 2017, UEFA ordered Crvena Zvezda to play a closed-door Europa League match against CSKA Moscow after supporters hoisted a banner praising Mladic during a fixture against Bate Borisov.
Did you know? The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals took over the remaining functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) after the tribunal formally closed in December 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the repatriation of Ratko Mladic delayed?
The UN Residual Mechanism requires an automatic inquiry into the circumstances of any death in custody, a process overseen by Judge Ian Bonomy without a fixed completion deadline.
What charges does Crvena Zvezda face from UEFA?
UEFA opened proceedings against the club for racist or discriminatory behavior, transmitting an inappropriate message during a match, and team misconduct following fan tributes and social media posts.
Has the club faced similar sanctions before?
Yes. UEFA ordered Crvena Zvezda to play a 2018 Europa League match behind closed doors after supporters displayed a banner glorifying Mladic during an earlier tournament fixture.
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