Ratko Mladić, 84, has been detained since 2011 after being convicted of genocide and war crimes during the Yugoslav wars from 1992 to 1995. His lawyers are urging a United Nations court for his immediate release due to what they describe as a critical health situation that has left him bedridden or reliant on a wheelchair.
In a recent submission, his legal team disclosed that Mladić suffered a suspected stroke during a phone call with his son, resulting in severe difficulties with speech. The team claims two medical professionals assessed his condition as serious, indicating a "high risk of imminent death." They are advocating for his transfer to a hospital or hospice where he can receive appropriate care in a Serbian-speaking environment.
Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujic has expressed his government's willingness to provide guarantees for Mladić’s release. Judge Graciela Gatti Santana has requested an independent health assessment to evaluate Mladić's current condition and the adequacy of the care he is receiving at the UN detention facility in The Hague.
Mladić's previous legal motions for release due to health concerns have been rejected, including attempts to attend a family memorial service. Bosnian victim advocacy groups have strongly opposed his release, viewing it as a tactic rather than a genuine humanitarian request, and cautioning against similar attempts made by his defense team over the years.
The former general, who commanded Bosnian Serb forces during the conflict, was implicated in atrocities including the Srebrenica massacre, where 8,000 men and boys were killed. His long evasion of justice ended in 2011 when he was located in rural Serbia and subsequently tried at The Hague, culminating in a life sentence in 2017 for his crimes against humanity.
Currently, both advocates for justice and those supporting his release await the findings from the requested medical evaluation, which may significantly impact the proceedings regarding Mladić's future.
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