The President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), Graciela Gatti Santana, has ordered the preparation of an independent medical expert report to consider the request of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić “for provisional or conditional early release on humanitarian grounds”.
Ratko Mladić, who is serving a life sentence following a final verdict and appeal in June 2021 for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, remains in the custody of the United Nations Detention Unit (UNDU) in The Hague.
In his request, filed on 23 April 2026, Mladić claims that he suffers from an advanced and irreversible health condition following a recent medical incident and states that his health has significantly deteriorated, which is why he considers further detention to be inappropriate.
He also submitted medical reports from two doctors who had recently examined him, stating that he was “suffering from a serious illness which, according to them, is not adequately treatable in detention conditions”.
The President of the IRMCT stated that Mladić had previously been under regular medical supervision, including reports from the UNDU medical service and independent experts.
In the meantime, on 17 April 2026, an interim report was submitted confirming that Mladić had been transferred to the emergency department of a civilian hospital and discharged the same day in a stable condition, with a note that treatment measures for a potentially reversible condition were being implemented.
In view of the request and the medical documentation provided, the President assessed that additional independent expert opinion was necessary before a decision could be made on whether there were “compelling humanitarian reasons” for a possible early release.
The requested assessment should include Mladić’s current medical condition, diagnosis and prognosis, possible treatment options, life expectancy assessment and the adequacy of medical care in the detention unit. The experts are also expected to address the allegations in the defense medical submissions.
The IRMCT Registrar has been ordered to submit an independent medical report by 1 May 2026.
Mladić was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in crimes committed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the genocide in Srebrenica.
