Serbian Minister Visits Mladić in The Hague, Seeks Release for Treatment

In a move that has stirred significant regional attention, Serbia's Justice Minister, Nenad Vujić, visited convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić at his detention facility in The Hague. The purpose of the visit was to formally request Mladić's release for medical treatment, citing humanitarian reasons. Vujić stated that Serbia is prepared to provide additional guarantees if necessary and has informed all relevant parties in The Hague of their request. Mladić, who is serving a life sentence for his role in genocide and crimes against humanity during the Bosnian War, is reportedly in serious health condition, requiring significant medical attention. This is not the first time such a request has been made; previous attempts for temporary release, including one in November 2025 to attend a family memorial and another in June of the same year due to alleged terminal illness, were denied by the Residual Mechanism. Mladić was arrested in Serbia in 2011 after nearly 16 years in hiding and was subsequently extradited to The Hague. His conviction in 2021 included charges related to the Srebrenica genocide, ethnic cleansing, the siege of Sarajevo, and taking UN personnel hostage. The Serbian government's initiative highlights a continued engagement with the legacy of the Balkan wars and the fate of individuals convicted for wartime atrocities, a perspective often viewed differently within the region compared to international narratives.

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I have informed everyone in The Hague and we are seeking release for treatment for humanitarian reasons. All conditions exist for this, and Serbia is prepared to provide additional guarantees if necessary.