GENERAL MLADIĆ BURIED WITH HONOR GUARD SALVO AS THOUSANDS FLOCK TO TOPČIDER CEMETERY

BELGRADE, SEPTEMBER 7 /SRNA/ - Former commander of the Main Staff of the Army of Republika Srpska General Ratko Mladić was buried today at Topčider Cemetery in Belgrade with an honor guard salvo and in the presence of a large number of Serbs from Republika Srpska, Serbia and the region.

Judging by the number of people in attendance, this was one of the largest funerals held in the recent history of the Serb people.

The funeral service at the family tomb was led by Vicar Bishop Dositej, representing the Serbian Patriarch, with a large number of priests concelebrating.

General Mladić was bid farewell at the family tomb with speeches by his brother-in-arms Lieutenant General Petar Škrbić and his son Darko.

Thousands of people who came from Republika Srpska, Serbia and Montenegro attended the final farewell to the commander of the Army of Republika Srpska.

Numerous buses arrived from Republika Srpska, organized by local veterans' organizations, to pay their final respects to their general. Many also arrived in private cars.

The Serbian Army and General Mladić's brothers-in-arms stood alongside his bier at the church in Vidikovac.

Former members of the Army of Republika Srpska followed the vehicle carrying the general’s body all the way to his final resting place at Topčider Cemetery. The body was also escorted by the Serbian police.

The entire leadership of Republika Srpska, as well as a large number of politicians from both Republika Srpska and Serbia and the region, attended the funeral service for the Army of Republika Srpska general.

General Mladić was bid farewell today by President of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan, Prime Minister Savo Minić, President of the National Assembly Nenad Stevandić, President Milorad Dodik and the Serb member of the BiH Presidency, Željka Cvijanović.

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije officiated the funeral service at the Church of St. Luke in Vidikovac, with hierarchs and clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church concelebrating. Thousands of citizens gathered outside the church.

The streams of people who flocked to Topčider Cemetery once again confirmed how highly General Mladić is respected among the Serb people. A large number of young people were also among them.

Most of those present carried Serbian tricolors and wore shirts bearing Mladić’s image and messages saying that he will live as long as the Serb people live.

Minister of Labour and Veterans’ and Disability Protection Radan Ostojić, Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Draga Mastilović, Minister of the Interior Željko Budimir, Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Đokić, DNS President Nenad Nešić and others also paid tribute to General Mladić.

General Mladić was also bid farewell by Head of the Republika Srpska Representation Office Mlađen Cicović, Serbian Minister of Justice Nenad Vujić, Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković, Minister for Public Investments Darko Glišić, and Minister of Labour, Employment, Veterans’ and Social Affairs Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski.

Also present were representatives of political parties from Montenegro, Milan Knežević and Vladislav Dajković, as well as representatives of Serbs from North Macedonia.

Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, Republika Srpska Senator Aleksandar Vulin, Banja Luka Mayor Draško Stanivuković, Serbian President's son Danilo Vučić, numerous generals and veterans from Serbia and Republika Srpska, and members of the Night Wolves Russian motorcycle club also paid their final respects to the general.