Timeline: Ratko Mladic, Horrors of the Bosnian War

In April of 1992, the world's eyes turned to Eastern Europe as war broke out following the breakup of Yugoslavia. Slovenia and Croatia seceded from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991, which would lead to the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina passing a vote for independence through a political referendum. The political delegates rejected the referendum and created their own division: Republika Srpska.

To simplify this extremely confusing scenario, when the war started the two military sides were the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina fighting against the Army of Republika Srpska. The chief of staff of the latter was one Ratko Mladic. Throughout the war, which lasted well into 1995, there were atrocities being committed throughout, most of which were allegedly being executed by Mladic and the Army of Republika Srpska.

Now, almost 20 years later, Mladic is having to face up to the horrific crimes he is accused of committing during this time; specifically genocide. Here is a timeline of the war and the events leading up to the arrest and trial of Mladic:

Feb. 29, 1992: The Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina passes a referendum for independence which is opposed by the political representatives.

The pushes to independence lead Bosnian Serb forces, supported by the Serbian government, to attack the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in an effort to secure Serbian territory. This act quickly escalated to full blown war in Bosnia.

Summer of 1992: The first reports of ethnic cleansing begin to emerge from within the war zones.

Seleasol.com states that by the summer of '92, the West had already recognized Bosnia -Herzegovina as an independent state. The reports emerged that the Serbs in former Yugoslavia were engaging in atrocities, including genocide, ethnic cleansing, and mass rape against many, primarily Muslim, peoples in the region. Consequently, the U.N imposes sanctions against Serbian-led Yugoslavia.

July 1995: Mladic's forces attack Srebrenica and allegedly kill 8,000 Muslim men and boys. This is a specific event of why Mladic is pursued on the charge of genocide.

Don't let the gap in time make it feel like little happened in the three years. There was constant bloodshed. One of the most notable and thus enduring events was the lengthy siege of the city of Sarajevo, in which the Serbs attempted to make civilians suffer to the extent the government would accept their demands. The agreement in Dayton, Ohio on Nov. 21 gives Serbia half of Bosnia but requires them to cooperate with the U.N.

October 2000/Early part of 2001: Slobodan Milosevic, the Serbian president, is ousted and forces Mladic further underground.

During an uprising, President Milosevic is forced to resign. With one of Mladic's strongest protectors gone, he is forced to go into deeper hiding. Shortly after, due to threats from the United States and the World Bank, Belgrade decides to hand over Milosevic for trial.

May 2008: A new, pro-Western government takes over in Serbia, ending Mladic's military protection.

July 22, 2008: Radovan Karadzic, President of Republika Srpska, is arrested outside Belgrade.

May 26, 2011: Ratko Mladic is caught in Serbia.

In mid-2010, the authorities believed they were honing in on Mladic. They had it down to a potential set of buildings as to where he was hiding. Not only is Mladic's arrest significant for justice's sake, but also for Serbia. According to the New York Times, Mladic was a major obstacle in Serbia being allowed into the European Union. The country now will have a chance to be on track to join.

Sources:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/05/26/ratko-mladic-timeline-of-the-war-crimes-fugitive-s-life-115875-23158626/

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/10/22/world/europe/mladic-timeline.html