EU condemns 'glorification' of late convicted war criminal Mladic

The EU on Monday condemned what it called the "glorification" of late convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic, saying any glorification of war criminals "have no place in the EU."

Mladic, known as the "Butcher of Bosnia," was found guilty by the UN tribunal of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, including for his role in the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. He died on Aug. 27 while serving his sentence in prison in The Hague.

"Any glorification of war criminals, genocide denial and revisionism contradict the most fundamental European values and have no place in the EU or in EU candidate countries," a spokesperson for the bloc said in a statement.

Recalling that Mladic was a convicted war criminal who committed war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, the spokesperson said the EU is standing in solidarity with all victims, survivors and their families who suffered from war crimes in countries of former Yugoslavia.

The statement came after Mladic’s body was flown from The Hague to Belgrade, where it was received with a guard of honour, days before his scheduled burial.

Earlier, the EU's enlargement chief Marta Kos cancelled her visit to Serbia over the "glorification" of the convicted war criminal following his death.

Serbia has been an EU candidate country since 2012 and has been engaged in accession negotiations with the bloc since 2014.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic offered to organize the burial in Serbia for him.