Urgent appeal filed for Ratko Mladic’s medical release amid deteriorating health

According to Darko Mladic, the request submitted to the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) includes recent reports from both Serbian physicians and UN medical staff stationed at the detention unit. The defence asserts that all medical professionals involved are in agreement regarding the severity of his condition.

"The difference now is that both sides agree he is in a terminal state, both the UN and domestic doctors," Darko Mladic stated, noting that his father suffered a stroke on April 10. Ratko Mladic is reportedly facing a combination of severe neurological, cardiovascular, and nephrological complications.

Guarantees and procedures

While the Tribunal is not bound by a specific deadline to respond, the family is urging a swift decision. If the request is granted, the Ministry of Justice of Republika Srpska and the state of Serbia have expressed readiness to provide the necessary guarantees. A specialized medical transport would be organized to facilitate his transfer to a hospital in Serbia.

Legal background and previous petitions

Ratko Mladic is currently serving a life sentence following a final verdict for genocide in Srebrenica, crimes against humanity, and violations of the laws and customs of war during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For several years, the family has filed numerous petitions seeking special medical treatment or transfers, citing his health. To date, all such requests have been rejected by the court. Mladic remains in the detention unit in The Hague, where he has been held since his sentencing.