(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 07 SET - Ratko Mladić's funeral service was held at the Belgrade Church of St. Luke the Apostle at noon, following a five-hour mourning period that began at 7:00 a.m. According to police cited by pro-government media, at least 8,000 people paid their respects outside the church, including people of all ages, former combatants, almost all dressed in black mourning shirts or t-shirts, and numerous Serbian flags and general effigies. At least three Serbian government ministers attended the church ceremony: Justice Minister Nenad Vujić, who personally escorted the body on the Serbian government's state flight from The Hague and was the first to announce military and state honours on August 28, the day after Mladić's death; Culture Minister Nikola Selaković, who was photographed shaking hands with those gathered outside the church and lighting votive candles; and Transport and In Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who has maintained a low profile, aware of the European Union's warnings, merely guaranteeing that the funeral will proceed according to Mladić's family's wishes, will not be present because he is officially engaged today and tomorrow with the state visit of Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Danilo Vučić, his son, will be present. (ANSA).