Patriarch Porfirije at the funeral for war criminal Ratko Mladić: The majority of the people feel gratitude towards him

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), Patriarch Porfirije, together with numerous bishops, today served a funeral service for Ratko Mladić, the former commander of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS), who died while serving a life sentence for genocide and war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"We know that his name will remain deeply embedded in the memory and prayers of the majority of our Serbian Orthodox people, who feel and cherish deep gratitude towards him because they see him as a soldier and commander who, in a difficult and tragic time, stood at the head of the army of his people, bore a great responsibility and burden, made a sacrifice and laid down his life for the freedom and defense and survival of his people," said Patriarch Porfirije in his speech after the service.

Members of the Serbian Army stood by the coffin, which was wearing an officer's cap. In front of the coffin were placed decorations and a wreath in the colors of the Serbian tricolor with four letters written in flowers, as well as a sword.

After the funeral, the coffin with Mladić's body was transported to the Topčider cemetery and lowered into the grave, next to his daughter Ana.

In front of the church, numerous citizens who had been coming since early morning to pay their respects remained. Serbian flags, badges with Mladić's image, and fighters from the former VRS were also present.

The funeral at the Church of St. Luke, in addition to members of Mladić's family, was attended by Minister of Justice Nenad Vujić, Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković, as well as Minister of Public Investments Darko Glišić, Minister of Defense Bratislav Gašić, Minister without Portfolio Nenad Popović, politicians from Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik and Draško Stanivuković, then the Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Aleksandar Bocan-Harchenko, as well as the eldest son of the President of Serbia Danilo Vučić.

After the service, the convoy of vehicles carrying Mladić's coffin slowly set off, accompanied by a large number of citizens (several tens of thousands according to Beta reporter estimates), towards the Topčider Cemetery, where he will be lowered into the grave, next to his daughter Ana.

A huge Serbian flag is also visible in the mass of the world.

During the funeral, members of the Serbian Army stood by the coffin, which was carrying an officer's cap and sword. In front of the coffin were placed decorations and a wreath in the colors of the Serbian tricolor with four letters written in flowers, as well as a picture of Mladić in uniform.

In front of the church, numerous citizens who had been coming since early morning to pay their respects remained. Serbian flags and badges with Mladić's image were visible. There were also fighters from the former VRS.