(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, 07 SET - Thousands gathered in Belgrade on Monday for the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic, sparking condemnation from Brussels for the glorification of a man convicted of genocide during the 1990s war in Bosnia. Mladic died in late August, aged 84, while serving a life sentence in The Hague for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the war -- a reputation that led international press to dub him the "Butcher of Bosnia". Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujic initially announced "military and state honours" for Mladic, triggering international outrage, before President Aleksandar Vucic tempered the decision. Vucic has rejected accusations of glorifying the former general, describing the service as in keeping with the family's wishes. Darko, Mladic's son, who officially organised the funeral, stood by the casket early on Monday as mourners streamed into the church, many kissing the coffin. The service was held at the small St Luka church rather than the grand temple of Saint Sava, where state funerals are normally held, but several Serbian ministers attended, alongside Russia's ambassador to the country and Republika Srpska's former president Milorad Dodik. Vucic earlier said the state would ensure the event passed off "safely" but he would not attend in person due to a prior engagement. (ANSA-AFP).