Ratko Mladić, the former military leader of the Bosnian Serbs, died this Thursday in The Hague, at age 84. He had been seriously ill for several months and passed away in a prison hospital in the Netherlands, as reported by Serbian state broadcaster RTS.
Mladić was convicted to life in prison by international justice for his role in the Srebrenica massacre, having become known as the "Butcher of Bosnia." The Srebrenica genocide occurred nearly three decades ago, in 1995.
Mladić's death continues to divide the Balkans. For the victims and their families, Mladić's name remains forever linked to genocide. In contrast, for many Serbs, he continues to be celebrated as a war hero.




