The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) today handed over the remains of Mr. Ratko Mladić to his recognized next of kin, consistent with past practice and Rule 72 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules), which provides for the return of the remains of a deceased prisoner to the next of kin as soon as reasonably possible.
The handover took place at Rotterdam The Hague Airport at approximately 15:00 hours.
Mr. Mladić, who was detained under the authority of the Mechanism, passed away on 27 August 2026 while hospitalized in The Hague, the Netherlands. He was 84 years old. Responsibility for the repatriation and final destination of the remains rests solely with the family of Mr. Mladic.
The Mechanism has acted with full respect for international human rights law and norms and coordinated closely with Mr. Mladić’s family members and diplomatic representatives, where appropriate, to facilitate all administrative, logistical, and legal requirements necessary for the respectful and dignified transfer of the remains for repatriation. It is the Mechanism’s understanding that the remains were taken to the Republic of Serbia.
The Mechanism wishes to take this opportunity to echo the sentiments of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, by standing in solidarity with the victims, survivors and their families who suffered the crimes for which Mr. Mladić was found guilty, and in condemning any actions that glorify those convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide by international courts.
