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UN court denies Mladić's request for compassionate release
A United Nations tribunal has refused to release convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić from prison, despite his lawyers arguing the 84-year-old is nearing death. The ruling, issued Thursday, concluded that the high-quality medical care available at the UN detention facility in The Hague is sufficient to meet his needs.
Judge acknowledges dire health but upholds detention
Presiding Judge Graciela Gatti Santana acknowledged Mladić's "dire" condition but emphasized that the prison's hospital provides "comprehensive and compassionate treatment" from qualified staff. She stated no additional medical interventions unavailable in the Netherlands could improve his comfort.
The ruling also noted Mladić benefits from an "exceptional visitation regime," allowing frequent family contact, including the possibility of loved ones being present during his final moments.
Defense cites stroke, imminent death risk
Mladić's legal team had argued for his provisional or conditional release earlier this month, citing a suspected stroke during a call with his son that left him nearly unable to speak. Two doctors assessed his condition as critical, warning of a "high risk of imminent death."
The defense sought his transfer to a hospital or hospice where Serbian is spoken, implying a return to Serbia. The Serbian government had indicated it would provide court guarantees if he were released.
Victims' groups condemn appeal as legal maneuver
Representatives of Bosnian victims and survivors sharply opposed the request, calling it a "legal tactic" rather than a genuine humanitarian plea. Mladić, known as the "Butcher of Bosnia," was sentenced to life in 2017 for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed during the 1992-95 Bosnian War.
His forces orchestrated the siege of Sarajevo, which killed over 10,000 people, and the Srebrenica massacre, where 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were executed. The conflict displaced nearly two million people and left more than 100,000 dead.
Mladić's legal history and capture
Mladić evaded capture for 16 years after the war, hiding in rural Serbia until his arrest in 2011. His trial at The Hague began in 2012, culminating in a 2017 conviction upheld on appeal in 2021.
It remains unclear whether Mladić will appeal Thursday's decision. His lawyers had previously noted his long-term bedridden or wheelchair-bound status.
