The surrender of Slobodan Milošević to police special forces in Belgrade was a crucial moment in the aftermath of the Yugoslav Wars. As the former president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Milošević had been internationally indicted for war crimes, including genocide and ethnic cleansing, particularly related to the conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo during the 1990s. His regime had been marked by extreme nationalism and violent suppression of non-Serb populations, leading to widespread atrocities that prompted a global cry for justice.

Milošević’s arrest signified the end of a tumultuous political era in Serbia, as widespread protests and political upheaval escalated following the fall of his government in October of the previous year. With mounting pressure from Western powers and the European Union, the authorities in Serbia were compelled to act against Milošević. His surrender came as a result of negotiations with the new government, which aimed to improve Serbia's international standing and align itself with democratic norms.

Following his surrender, Milošević was transported to The Hague, where he would stand trial before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). This tribunal aimed to hold accountable those responsible for the heinous acts committed during the Balkan conflicts, establishing a precedent for international law regarding war crimes. His trial would draw significant media attention and become one of the most high-profile cases in the efforts to achieve justice post-conflict in Europe.