25 Years Since Arkan's Assassination: The Warlord's Reign

It marks 25 years since the assassination of Željko Ražnatović, known as Arkan, in Belgrade. On January 15, 2000, Arkan and his bodyguards were killed in a hotel lobby.

Arkan was a notorious paramilitary leader, head of the 'Tigers,' and accused of war crimes during the conflicts in former Yugoslavia. American diplomat Richard Holbrooke had stated that even Slobodan Milošević feared Arkan.

Arkan's activities began at a young age with thefts and he was soon recruited by the Yugoslav State Security Service (UDBA). Subsequently, he participated in robberies, murders, and human trafficking, gaining a reputation as one of Interpol's most wanted criminals.

In the early 90s, he founded the Serbian Volunteer Guard, the 'Tigers of Arkan,' who committed atrocities against Muslims and Catholics in Bosnia. Many Serbs considered him a hero, while he was accused of war crimes.

After the war, Arkan became a businessman and acquired the football club Obilić Belgrade.