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Mladic's Lawyers Seek Release After Life-Threatening Stroke

5/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Defense lawyers for Ratko Mladic filed a motion demanding his immediate release on humanitarian grounds after his acute neurological episode.
Mladic, 84, suffered total aphasia, swallowing difficulty and was taken to an emergency hospital in the Netherlands, where doctors called his condition life-threatening and beyond detention-facility care.
The UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals previously rejected a release request, saying he receives high-quality medical care in detention.

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Story summary

Defense lawyers for Ratko Mladic filed a motion demanding his immediate release on humanitarian grounds after his acute neurological episode.
Mladic, 84, suffered total aphasia, swallowing difficulty and was taken to an emergency hospital in the Netherlands, where doctors called his condition life-threatening and beyond detention-facility care.
The UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals previously rejected a release request, saying he receives high-quality medical care in detention.