Ratko Mladić depiction in Serbian church sparks controversy

Controversy has erupted in Serbia following the circulation of footage showing a painting of Ratko Mladić in a military uniform within an Orthodox church in western Serbia. The depiction was placed directly above a fresco of Saint Justin Popović, a prominent Serbian theologian.

Mladić was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia of genocide in Srebrenica and crimes against humanity. The appearance of his image in a religious setting has raised concerns regarding the glorification of convicted war criminals within religious institutions.

In a related reaction, a Serbian citizen, Igor Ranković, has publicly called for a way to formally withdraw from the Serbian Orthodox Church. Ranković expressed deep shame and anger over the church leadership's perceived support for convicted war criminals and political figures, stating that the institution has ceased to uphold universal Christian values in favor of nationalist interests.