Convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic, who orchestrated the 1995 Srebrenica Genocide—the first such atrocity on European soil since World War II—has died in a prison facility in The Hague at the age of 84.
He was serving a life sentence for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Following his death on Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed the profound gravity of these offenses.
“The Secretary-General stands in solidarity with the victims, survivors, and their families who endured the atrocities for which Mr. Mladic was found guilty,” stated Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for Guterres. “He reiterates his call upon all individuals in positions of authority to refrain from denying the severity of the adjudicated crimes.”
On Friday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic criticized the UN war crimes tribunal for what he termed “uncivilized behavior” after denying Mladic early release, which would have permitted him to pass away in Serbia. Earlier in the year, Belgrade had requested that he be allowed to receive medical treatment outside of prison, citing a “serious” decline in his health.
Often referred to as the “Butcher of Bosnia,” Mladic emerged as one of the most infamous military commanders during the conflicts that erupted following the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Under his leadership, Bosnian Serb forces captured Srebrenica—a town near the Serbian border that the UN had designated as a “safe area”—in July 1995. In the ensuing days, these troops massacred over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys.
Below is a comprehensive timeline detailing the major milestones in Mladic’s life, culminating in his death while in detention this week:
1942-1966: Early Life and Background
Born in March 1942 in the village of Bozanovici within the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina), Mladic was of Bosnian Serb descent. His father was an active participant in the communist-led resistance against the Axis powers during World War II.
In 1966, Mladic married Bosiljka Jedic, and the couple subsequently had two children: Darko and Ana.
1965-1991: Advancement in the Military
Joining the Yugoslav National Army (JNA) at the age of 22, Mladic steadily ascended through the military ranks. By 1991, he had been appointed head of the Operational Teaching Department for the 9th Corps in Knin (modern-day Croatia) and eventually took command of the Headquarters of the 9th Corps Maritime Division.
1991-1992: Reassignment to Sarajevo
In 1991, the Presidency of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia promoted Mladic to major-general, elevating him to lieutenant-colonel general by April 1992. During this period, he commanded the JNA’s Second Military Area Command headquarters in Sarajevo.
1992-1995: The Siege of Sarajevo
Under Mladic’s leadership, the Bosnian Serb army initiated a devastating siege on the capital city of Sarajevo.
Enduring for 1,460 days, it stands as the longest military siege of a capital city in modern history. The assault claimed the lives of over 11,500 individuals, with an estimated 480,000 to 500,000 projectiles fired into the city.
July 1995: The Srebrenica Genocide
In July 1995, forces under Mladic’s command overran Srebrenica and Zepa, both United Nations-protected enclaves. This operation resulted in the massacre of 8,000 Bosniak men and boys—an act later classified as genocide—and the forced displacement of 25,000 to 30,000 residents from the region.
July and November 1995: Indictment for Genocide
Mladic, alongside Radovan Karadzic, the political leader of the Bosnian Serbs, was indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for war crimes committed during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The charges encompassed the Srebrenica massacre and the mass expulsion of Bosniak civilians.
Facing 20 charges, including genocide, Mladic became the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by the ICTY in 1996, as did Karadzic.
1997-2011: Years in Hiding
Following his indictment, Mladic evaded capture by moving between various locations throughout Serbia.
War crimes prosecutors and investigative journalists persistently monitored his movements, relying on rumors, witness testimonies, intelligence reports, and court documents to trace his whereabouts.
Reports indicate that in 2001, he temporarily relocated to Bosnia and Herzegovina before returning to Serbia.
2011-2016: Capture and Subsequent Trial
On May 26, 2011, authorities arrested Mladic at his cousin’s residence in Lazarevo, northern Serbia. He was initially detained in Belgrade before being extradited to The Hague to face prosecution by the ICTY.
His trial began in June 2011, with closing arguments concluding in December 2016. Throughout the proceedings, Mladic rejected any plea agreements.
November 2017: Final Sentencing
In 2017, Mladic was handed a life sentence for his role in the Srebrenica genocide, along with numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity.
June 2025: Denied Appeal for Early Release
Toward the end of 2022, Mladic was hospitalized due to “poor health,” according to his family.
In June 2025, he filed a petition for release, asserting that he had only a few months left to live. The tribunal denied his request.
August 27, 2026: Death in Custody
After spending roughly 15 years in detention for his war crimes in Bosnia, Mladic died while hospitalized in The Hague.
