Tsipras tells Kammenos: “The butcher of the Balkans cannot be honored”

Former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has sharply criticized his former coalition partner Panos Kammenos over his attendance at the funeral of former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladić, explicitly distancing himself from Kammenos’ stance.

TSIPRAS REJECTS PRAISE FOR MLADIĆ
Speaking at a press conference during the Selanik (Thessaloniki) International Fair, Tsipras was asked about Kammenos’ attendance at the funeral of Mladić, who was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and later sentenced to life imprisonment.

“You cannot honor someone convicted of crimes against humanity,” Tsipras said, arguing that certain actions cannot simply be forgiven following a person’s death.

Mladić was convicted for his role in the Srebrenica genocide and other crimes committed during the 1992–1995 Bosnian War.

“WAR CRIMES ARE WAR CRIMES”
Tsipras said Greece should respect the jurisdiction and rulings of international courts, while rejecting any attempt to honor what he described as the “butcher of the Balkans.”

“War crimes are war crimes,” Tsipras said, stressing that those responsible should face sanctions under international law.

His comments were seen as a direct response to Kammenos’ decision to attend Mladić’s funeral and remarks expressing praise for the former Bosnian Serb commander.

POLITICAL DIFFERENCES REMAIN
Tsipras also emphasized the deep ideological and political differences between himself and Kammenos.

The former prime minister described the gap between the two as an “ideological and political chasm,” while standing by his previous assessment of the coalition government they formed.

Tsipras said their cooperation had not created problems for the country and maintained that he had no reason to withdraw his previous comments regarding the partnership.