ZAKHAROVA: HAGUE MECHANISM SHOWS INHUMANITY, SILENCE OF NGOs AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS

BELGRADE, MAY 21 /SRNA/ - The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in the Hague demonstrated inhumanity by deciding not to release Serb General Ratko Mladić for medical treatment, and it is striking that non-governmental organizations monitoring prison conditions show no interest in the matter, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Commenting on the fact that Mechanism President Graciela Gatti Santana once again refused to allow seriously ill General Mladić to receive treatment in Serbia, Zakharova said the decision points to serious problems within the system related to respect for the basic principles of humanity, impartiality and fair treatment of convicts. She also noted that the Mechanism itself acknowledges that the prisoner's health condition is extremely serious, worsening and approaching a fatal outcome, while at the same time claiming that the case allegedly requires "special attention". "I am interested in what kind of attention? What sort of segregation is this? Why are some provided with every possible comfort regardless of the monstrous crimes they are accused of? I will not even mention examples. While others are denied even minimal medical care", Zakharova said at a press conference. She added that the Mechanism also openly admits that there are precedents of prisoners being released early for health reasons, but that this did not prevent the presiding judge from concluding that there are no humanitarian grounds for Mladić’s release. Zakharova said she wonders where all those non-governmental organizations monitoring prison conditions are now, as well as all those European parliaments and the "endless" Brussels special rapporteurs, Sputnik reported. "They do not want to come to The Hague and see the conditions in which Mladić is being held. And this can be seen and documented. What is it, is it not interesting"? she asked. General Mladić suffered a stroke on April 10 and another on May 2, after which his condition further deteriorated due to serious neurological, cardiovascular and nephrological health problems. Since 2024, he has been in the detention hospital in The Hague, where he is receiving palliative care. The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in the Hague has repeatedly rejected requests for General Mladić to be released for treatment in Serbia.