Convicted Bosnian Serb War Criminal Mladić Dies Aged 84

Convicted Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladić has died in a UN prison at The Hague aged 84. He was jailed for life in 2017 for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the wars in the former Yugoslavia in 1992-95.

Mladić, known as the Butcher of Bosnia, was being given palliative care in the hospital of the UN detention facility, where he died. The UN Court said Dutch authorities have begun an investigation into the circumstances of his death.

• Mladić was jailed for life in 2017 for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• He was on the run for 16 years before being tracked down in rural Serbia in 2011.
• The sentence was upheld on appeal by the UN court in 2021.
• Mladić’s death has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising him as a defender of Serbs and others condemning him as a war criminal.

The Hague Tribunal

Mladić was held at The Hague detention facility since 2011, where he was tried and convicted for his role in the Bosnian war. The court rejected a bid for his release from jail in May, ruling that he was receiving comprehensive and compassionate treatment in prison.

Mladić’s lawyers had argued that he was nearing the end of his life and had suffered a suspected stroke that left him almost unable to speak.

Hasan Hasanović’s Statement

” ,” said Hasan Hasanović, a Srebrenica survivor who lost his twin brother and father in the massacre. ” : “

Bosnian Serb Reaction

Bosnian Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik praised Mladić as a respected commander who defended Serbs. Some local residents in Serbia’s capital Belgrade also praised him, with one man saying ” , “

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Legacy of Genocide

Mladić’s death has sparked concerns about the legacy of genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Hasan Hasanović said that Mladić’s death does not bring closure, as the people who were killed in Srebrenica cannot come back.

The international community continues to grapple with the consequences of the Bosnian war, including genocide denial and a divided country.