A United Nations tribunal has denied a bid by convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić to be released from prison, despite acknowledging the 84-year-old former Bosnian Serb commander is in the final stages of his life. Judge Graciela Gatti Santana ruled that the medical and palliative care at the UN detention facility in The Hague is of such high quality that Mladić's comfort is maximally assured, and no additional treatment available elsewhere is unavailable in the Netherlands.
Mladić, known as the "Butcher of Bosnia," was sentenced to life in 2017 for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity for his role in the 1992-95 Bosnian war. The sentence was upheld on appeal in 2021. His defense team had argued for release to a hospital or hospice where Serbian is spoken, citing a suspected stroke and the risk of imminent death. However, the judge noted he continues to receive comprehensive treatment and benefits from an exceptional visitation regime, including the possibility of family being present during his final moments.
Mladić commanded forces that committed ethnic cleansing, besieged Sarajevo-killing over 10,000 people-and carried out the Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 men and boys. He evaded capture for 16 years until 2011.