Türkiye has condemned the use of the funeral of Ratko Mladić, who was convicted by international courts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, in a manner that denies the atrocities committed during the Bosnian War and glorifies those responsible.

In a statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli said it was unacceptable for Mladić's funeral to be exploited in a way that amounted to the denial of the grave crimes committed and the suffering endured by victims.

Türkiye rejects denial of international court rulings

Keçeli said rejecting the rulings of international courts or attempting to portray convicted perpetrators as heroes deepens the pain of victims and their families while undermining long-standing efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in the Balkans.

He stressed that respect for the judgments of international tribunals remains essential to preserving historical truth and preventing the recurrence of similar atrocities.

Keçeli said the Balkans should draw the necessary lessons from the past and work together to build a peaceful, prosperous and shared future.He added that lasting stability in the region depends on acknowledging historical facts, supporting justice and strengthening reconciliation among communities.

Türkiye honours victims of the Bosnian War

The spokesperson reaffirmed Türkiye's solidarity with the victims of the Srebrenica genocide and all those who lost their lives during the Bosnian War, expressing condolences and support for their families.

Mladić, the former Bosnian Serb military commander, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) after being convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the 1992–1995 Bosnian War.(ILKHA)