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Ratko Mladic
Commander of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS)
Convicted Genocidaire - The "Butcher of Bosnia"
Overview
General Ratko Mladic commanded the Army of Republika Srpska during the Bosnian War. He personally directed the Srebrenica massacre, entered the town on camera declaring it a "gift to the Serbian people," oversaw the siege of Sarajevo, and commanded operations involving concentration camps and mass rape. Convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, serving life imprisonment.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Convicted of genocide for directing the Srebrenica massacre that killed 8,372 Bosniak men and boys
Personally offered candy to Bosniak children in Potocari while their fathers were being separated for execution
Directed snipers targeting civilians in Sarajevo including children
Took 400 UN peacekeepers hostage, chaining them to military targets as human shields
Evaded justice for 16 years living under protection in Serbia
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
3 documented violations
ICTY - Genocide (Srebrenica)Planning and directing the systematic murder of 8,372 Bosniak men and boys(Genocide)
ICTY - Crimes Against HumanityPersecution, extermination, murder, deportation(Crimes Against Humanity)
ICTY - War CrimesMurder, terror, hostage-taking, unlawful attacks on civilians(War Crimes)
Known Associates & Connections
Radovan Karadzic
Political leader of Republika Srpska
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- 1943-03-12
- Birthplace
- Bozanovici, Bosnia, Yugoslavia
- Also Known As
- Butcher of Bosnia
Education
- •Military Academy, Belgrade
- •Yugoslav People's Army officer training
Key Timeline
1943-03-12
Born in Bozanovici, Bosnia
1992-05-12
Appointed Commander of VRS
1995-07-11
Enters Srebrenica; orders separation and execution of men and boys
1995-07-25
Indicted by ICTY for genocide
2011-05-26
Arrested in Serbia after 16 years as fugitive
2017-11-22
Convicted of genocide; sentenced to life imprisonment
2021-06-08
Life sentence upheld on appeal