GENERAL'S HEALTH MORE STABLE, SERBIAN SPECIALIST ARRIVES FOR EXAMINATION

BELGRADE, JUNE 29 /SRNA/ – General Ratko Mladić, who has been under palliative care at the Hague detention hospital for more than two years, is in slightly better condition, although his health remains serious. He is expected to be examined today by a neuropsychiatrist from Serbia, his son Darko Mladić said in a statement to SRNA.

Darko Mladić said he visited his father with his son last week and that the general appeared to be somewhat better and more stable.

"He is doing somewhat better than before. He has stabilized in a certain sense. There has been no further deterioration, which is very important for us," Darko Mladić said.

He noted that the general remains bedridden and immobile but has been speaking somewhat more than before.

Darko Mladić said the Serbian neuropsychiatrist is scheduled to examine his father today and that he expects a medical report within the next few days.

Regarding the extended mandate of the Hague Mechanism, which expires tomorrow, Darko Mladić said it remains to be seen what will happen, adding that discussions are likely underway on whether the current president of the court will remain in office or a new one will be appointed.

At a UN Security Council session held on June 12, Serbia called for the Mechanism's remaining residual functions, such as archive management and oversight, to be urgently transferred to the national level. It also requested that Serbian nationals be allowed to serve their sentences in Serbia.

Serbia also strongly criticized the Mechanism for, as it stated, completely disregarding General Ratko Mladić's serious health condition and for repeatedly refusing to allow him to receive medical treatment.