Request by war criminal Ratko Mladić for early release rejected

(Patria) - The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) has rejected the urgent request of former commander of the Main Staff of the Army of Republika Srpska Ratko Mladić, sentenced to life imprisonment for genocide and other crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for temporary or conditional early release due to poor health.

IRMCT President, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, stated in her decision that uncontested medical opinions "indicate that Mladić is approaching the end of his life, which is a human fate, and that his current state of health, which requires reliance on others for performing daily activities, is serious."

"Nevertheless, Mladić continues to receive very comprehensive and compassionate medical care, which is amply confirmed by medical reports. The information available to me shows that the compelling humanitarian reasons cited by Mladić as the basis for his release are not substantiated," Gatti Santana said.

She also emphasized that Mladić does not suffer from an acute terminal illness that could justify his release, and the current conditions in the UN Detention Unit allow him high-quality care tailored to his specific health conditions, Detektor reports.

Gatti Santana stressed that Mladić's detention has not resulted in isolation, but rather that the Detention Unit has made great efforts to ensure continuous and regular maintenance of contact between him and his family.

"Mladić's continued detention is therefore neither inhuman nor degrading and, as such, continues to respect the important principles of the prison system applicable to the crimes for which he was convicted. Consequently, I consider that the request should be rejected," Gatti Santana stated in her decision.

She noted that the Secretariat must continue to take all reasonable measures to ensure maximum accessibility for the family as Mladić's condition develops.

"Given that Mladić was sentenced to life imprisonment, the burden will also be on his family to accept and utilize the opportunities provided to offer him comfort," Gatti Santana explained.

She added that she will continue to regularly monitor Mladić's health condition and take all appropriate measures to protect his right to dignity and ensure that detention does not result in unnecessary and unjustified harm or suffering.

Mladić's Defense at the beginning of June, in an urgent submission to the Mechanism, requested his temporary or conditional early release due to poor health.

At that time, it stated that such a request was made based on the fact that the medical staff of the Detention Unit informed Mladić and his family that his health condition cannot be cured and that he is being transferred to palliative care, and that his remaining life expectancy is measured in months.

Mladić, former commander of the VRS, was sentenced in June 2021 before the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals to life imprisonment for genocide in Srebrenica, persecution of Bosniaks and Croats, terrorizing citizens of Sarajevo, and taking members of UNPROFOR as hostages.