Iconic Bosnian teen hurt in war reflects on Mladic

UN Prosecutor Serge Brammertz talks to the media at the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal (ICTY) at The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 1. Ratko Mladic will appear before a judge of the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal on Friday, giving the world its first clear look at the former Bosnian Serb military chief since he was arrested last week in Serbia after 16 years on the run. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

PALM HARBOR, Florida—A teenager who helped introduce the world to the Serb atrocities in Bosnia when he was wounded during the war is recalling the events of nearly 20 years ago and reflecting on the recent arrest of then-Gen. Ratko Mladic.

Sead Bekric was 14 years old when he was blinded by artillery fire on a schoolyard in Srebrenica. Berkic’s bloody and maimed face was shown on the cover of Newsweek and TV newscasts and became an iconic image of the war.

Bekric is now 32 and living in Florida. He told The Associated Press on Wednesday he was satisfied to hear of Mladic’s arrest and he would testify at his war crimes trial if asked.

The ex-general is accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.