ĐOKIĆ: DECISION ON RELEASE FOR TREATMENT SHOULD BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

BELGRADE, MAY 4 /SRNA/ – Neurologist Gorica Đokić, a member of the team of Serbian doctors who examined General Ratko Mladić in the Hague, said it is crucial that the Mechanism make a decision as soon as possible on his early release, as he is in an extremely serious health condition that is potentially life-threatening.

She stated that General Mladić requires 24-hour monitoring and serious medical care, which the detention unit cannot provide.

"His health condition is so delicate that, no matter how much the doctors in the detention unit try, it is not a sufficient level of care. We suspect that another stroke may have occurred, and his overall condition is very serious," Đokić said.

Speaking about the possibility of transport to Serbia, she pointed out that there are no medical obstacles.

"Transport is not contraindicated for any of these conditions," she stated.

Regarding the timeframe for making a decision on the temporary release of General Mladić for treatment, Đokić stressed that time is a key factor.

"I would speak in terms of days; I hope the decision will be made at a pace consistent with his condition," Đokić told RTS.

She added that doctors in the Hague also assess his condition as very serious, but that legal procedures also affect the course of further treatment.

The general's son, Darko Mladić, is expected to visit his father in the Hague today.

Ratko Mladić's legal team submitted a request on April 23 for conditional release on humanitarian grounds, given his worsening health condition.

On Saturday, May 2, General Mladić was transferred from the detention unit to a civilian hospital in the Hague due to suspected stroke. As doctors did not confirm that he had suffered a stroke, he was returned to the detention hospital.

General Ratko Mladić suffered a stroke on April 10 and his already serious health condition has further deteriorated, as he has severe neurological, cardiovascular and renal problems.

He has been in the detention hospital in the Hague since 2024, where he is under palliative care.

The Mechanism has repeatedly rejected requests for his temporary release for treatment in Serbia.