Court Says Ratko Mladić Must Stay in Prison

May 14, 2026, 17:45
EuropeInternational
A2

Court Says Ratko Mladić Must Stay in Prison

Introduction

A United Nations court said no to a request. Ratko Mladić cannot leave prison early. He is in prison for life because of war crimes.

Main Body

Mladić is 84 years old. His lawyers say he is very sick. They want him to go to a hospital in Serbia. The Serbian government wants to help him. Judge Graciela Gatti Santana says Mladić is sick. But she says the prison in The Hague is good. He can get the medical help he needs there. He can also see his family. Mladić led soldiers in Bosnia from 1992 to 1995. He killed many people. Over 100,000 people died. People who lost family say he is not really sick. They say he just wants to leave prison.

Conclusion

Ratko Mladić must stay in prison in The Hague.

Learning

⚡ The Power of 'CAN'

In this story, we see a word that tells us if something is possible or allowed.

The Word: can / cannot

How to use it: It is very simple. You don't need to change the word for different people. It stays the same for I, you, he, she, it, we, they.

Examples from the text:

  • Ratko Mladić cannot leave prison. →\rightarrow It is not allowed.
  • He can get medical help. →\rightarrow It is possible.
  • He can also see his family. →\rightarrow He has permission.

🛠️ Word Building: 'SICK'

Notice how the text uses this word to describe a person's health:

  • Very sick →\rightarrow (Strong/Bad health)
  • Not really sick →\rightarrow (Maybe pretending/Better health)

Pattern: Very + Adjective = More strength. Not really + Adjective = Less truth/strength.

Vocabulary Learning

court
a place where legal cases are heard
Example:The court decided to reject the request.
says
to speak or express
Example:She says she will come tomorrow.
must
required to do something
Example:You must finish your homework.
stay
remain in a place
Example:Please stay here until the meeting ends.
prison
a place where people are kept as punishment
Example:He was sent to prison for his crimes.
united
joined together
Example:The united team worked well.
nations
countries
Example:The nations met for a conference.
request
a polite demand
Example:He made a request for more information.
cannot
not able to
Example:I cannot go to the party.
leave
go away from
Example:They will leave early tomorrow.
early
before the usual time
Example:She arrived early for the meeting.
life
existence of a person or animal
Example:He values his life.
war
armed conflict between groups
Example:The war lasted for many years.
crimes
illegal acts
Example:The police investigated the crimes.
age
number of years a person has lived
Example:Her age is 84.
lawyers
people who practice law
Example:The lawyers argued in court.
sick
ill or not healthy
Example:He feels sick after the meal.
want
to desire something
Example:I want a cup of tea.
hospital
a place where sick people are treated
Example:She was admitted to the hospital.
help
to assist or support
Example:They will help the refugees.
judge
a person who decides cases in court
Example:The judge gave a fair verdict.
good
positive or desirable
Example:It was a good idea.
medical
related to medicine or doctors
Example:Medical records were kept.
needs
things that are required
Example:He has many needs.
family
relatives or people related by blood or marriage
Example:She visited her family.
led
guided or directed
Example:He led the team to victory.
soldiers
members of the armed forces
Example:The soldiers marched.
bosnia
a country in Europe
Example:Bosnia is in Europe.
killed
caused someone to die
Example:He killed the enemy.
many
a large number of
Example:Many people attended the concert.
people
human beings in general
Example:People enjoy music.
died
ceased to live
Example:He died in 1995.
lost
no longer have or find
Example:She lost her keys.
just
only or exactly
Example:He just left the room.
B2

UN Court Rejects Request for Early Release of Ratko Mladić

Introduction

A United Nations court has turned down a request for the early release of Ratko Mladić, who is serving a life sentence for war crimes.

Main Body

The court's decision follows a request from Mladić's lawyers, who argued that the 84-year-old's health is failing rapidly. They claimed that he has suffered a suspected stroke and cannot move, meaning he should be moved to a medical facility in Serbia. The Serbian government supported this request and offered to provide the necessary guarantees to make the transfer possible. However, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana acknowledged that Mladić's health is poor but stated that the medical facilities in The Hague are good enough to keep him comfortable. The court concluded that there are no medical treatments available outside the Netherlands that he cannot already receive. Furthermore, the judge emphasized that current rules allow him to have frequent visits from his family. Mladić was imprisoned for leading Bosnian Serb forces between 1992 and 1995. He was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity for his role in the Srebrenica massacre and the siege of Sarajevo, which resulted in over 100,000 deaths. Consequently, groups representing the victims have argued that this request for release is a legal tactic rather than a real medical emergency.

Conclusion

Ratko Mladić will remain in prison in The Hague after the court refused to grant his conditional release.

Learning

🚀 The 'Logic Leap': Moving from Basic to Complex Sentences

At an A2 level, you usually say: "He is sick. The court said no." At a B2 level, you connect these ideas to show cause, contrast, and result. This article is a goldmine for this transition.

⚡ The "Connector" Upgrade

Look at how the text transforms simple facts into professional arguments using these specific words:

  • Consequently →\rightarrow Use this instead of "So".

    • A2: He is a war criminal, so the victims are angry.
    • B2: He was convicted of genocide; consequently, groups representing the victims argued against his release.

  • Furthermore →\rightarrow Use this instead of "Also".

    • A2: The hospital is good. He can see his family.
    • B2: The facilities are sufficient; furthermore, the judge emphasized that he can have frequent visits.

  • However →\rightarrow Use this instead of "But".

    • A2: He is sick, but he stays in prison.
    • B2: His health is poor; however, the judge stated the facilities in The Hague are good enough.

🛠️ Practical Shift: The 'Passive' Power

B2 speakers stop focusing on who did the action and focus on the result to sound more objective.

Compare these two styles:

  1. A2 (Active): "The court imprisoned Mladić." (Simple, direct).
  2. B2 (Passive): "Mladić was imprisoned for leading Bosnian Serb forces." (Focuses on the person and the legal status).

Why this matters for you: When you write reports or formal emails, using "was [verb]ed" makes you sound more academic and professional.

🔍 Vocabulary Expansion: 'State of Being'

Stop using "bad" or "sick". Use these B2-level descriptions found in the text:

  • Failing rapidly (instead of getting worse fast)
  • Sufficient/Good enough (instead of okay)
  • Convicted of (instead of found guilty of)

Vocabulary Learning

war crimes
Serious violations of the laws of war that are punishable under international law.
Example:The tribunal charged the commander with war crimes for the atrocities committed during the conflict.
life sentence
A prison sentence that lasts for the duration of the convict's natural life.
Example:After being found guilty, he received a life sentence and will spend the rest of his life in prison.
failing
Becoming weaker or less effective; deteriorating.
Example:The old bridge is failing and needs urgent repairs.
rapidly
Quickly or at a fast pace.
Example:The disease spread rapidly through the community.
suspected
Believed or thought to be true but not yet proven.
Example:The police investigated a suspected burglary.
stroke
A sudden medical condition caused by a blockage or rupture in a blood vessel of the brain.
Example:He was rushed to the hospital after a stroke left him partially paralyzed.
medical facility
A building or institution where medical care is provided.
Example:The patient was transferred to a medical facility for specialized treatment.
guarantees
Promises or assurances that something will happen or be true.
Example:The contract includes guarantees that the product will be delivered on time.
transfer
The act of moving someone or something from one place to another.
Example:The prisoner was transferred to a higher-security prison.
acknowledged
Accepted or recognized as true or valid.
Example:She acknowledged that she had made a mistake.
concluded
Determined or decided after consideration.
Example:The committee concluded that the proposal was feasible.
frequent
Occurring often or many times.
Example:He made frequent trips to the city for work.
imprisoned
Placed in prison or jail.
Example:The suspect was imprisoned pending trial.
genocide
The deliberate and systematic destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Example:The report documented evidence of genocide against the minority population.
massacre
A violent killing of many people, especially civilians.
Example:The massacre shocked the nation and prompted international intervention.
siege
A military operation in which forces surround a place to compel surrender.
Example:The city endured a long siege that caused severe shortages.
resulted
Came to be as a consequence or outcome.
Example:The new policy resulted in higher productivity.
consequently
As a result; therefore.
Example:He missed the deadline; consequently, he was penalized.
representing
Acting on behalf of or symbolizing.
Example:The lawyer is representing the victims in court.
victims
People who have suffered harm or loss.
Example:The victims shared their stories with the media.
legal tactic
A strategy used to achieve a legal advantage.
Example:Filing a motion was a clever legal tactic to delay the hearing.
emergency
A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
Example:The emergency department was overwhelmed with patients after the accident.
conditional release
Release from prison under specific conditions that must be met.
Example:He will be granted conditional release if he completes the rehabilitation program.
C2

UN Tribunal Denies Humanitarian Release Request for Ratko Mladić

Introduction

A United Nations court has rejected a petition for the early release of Ratko Mladić, who is currently serving a life sentence for war crimes.

Main Body

The judicial determination follows a motion submitted by the defense, which posited that Mladić's physiological state is characterized by advanced and irreversible decline. Legal representatives asserted that the convict, aged 84, has experienced prolonged immobility and a suspected cerebrovascular accident, thereby necessitating a transfer to a Serbian-speaking medical facility. This request was implicitly supported by the Serbian government, which indicated a willingness to provide the requisite institutional guarantees to facilitate such a transition. Conversely, the presiding judge, Graciela Gatti Santana, acknowledged the dire nature of the convict's health while maintaining that the medical infrastructure within the The Hague detention facility is sufficient to ensure maximal comfort. The court concluded that no therapeutic interventions exist externally that are not currently accessible within the Netherlands. Furthermore, the ruling highlighted the adequacy of the existing visitation protocols, which permit frequent familial contact. Historically, Mladić's incarceration stems from his command of Bosnian Serb forces between 1992 and 1995. His convictions for genocide and crimes against humanity pertain to the systematic ethnic cleansing in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the siege of Sarajevo, and the Srebrenica massacre. These events contributed to a total of over 100,000 fatalities and the displacement of approximately two million individuals. Stakeholders representing the victims have characterized the current legal motion as a strategic maneuver rather than a genuine humanitarian necessity.

Conclusion

Ratko Mladić remains incarcerated in The Hague following the court's refusal to grant provisional or conditional release.

Learning

The Architecture of 'Clinical Distance': Nominalization and Lexical Precision

To bridge the gap from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond describing an event to framing it through institutional register. The provided text is a masterclass in Clinical Distance—the use of highly specific, Latinate vocabulary to neutralize emotional charge while maintaining absolute legal precision.

◈ The Shift: From Descriptive to Institutional

Compare the B2 approach with the C2 execution found in the text:

  • B2 (Descriptive): The lawyers said Mladić is very sick and cannot move, so he should be moved to a hospital in Serbia.
  • C2 (Institutional): Legal representatives asserted that the convict... has experienced prolonged immobility... thereby necessitating a transfer to a Serbian-speaking medical facility.

The Linguistic Lever: The use of Nominalization. Instead of using verbs (he is immobile), the text uses nouns (prolonged immobility). This transforms a personal condition into a 'case file' attribute, which is the hallmark of judicial and academic writing.

◈ Precision Mapping: The C2 Lexicon

Note the strategic selection of verbs and adjectives that eliminate ambiguity:

  1. "Posited" vs. "Said": To posit is not merely to speak, but to put forward a premise as the basis for an argument. It signals a formal hypothesis.
  2. "Requisite institutional guarantees": This is a collocational powerhouse. Requisite (necessary) + institutional (systemic) + guarantees (formal promises). A B2 student might say "necessary promises," but a C2 speaker uses the specific terminology of international diplomacy.
  3. "Strategic maneuver": The transition from humanitarian necessity to strategic maneuver shifts the narrative from medical empathy to political calculation through a binary opposition of high-level nouns.

◈ Syntactic Complexity: The 'Causal Chain'

Observe the sentence: "...thereby necessitating a transfer to a Serbian-speaking medical facility."

By using the present participle construction (thereby necessitating), the author avoids the clunky "and this means that..." or "which leads to..." structures. This allows the writer to link a medical fact directly to a legal consequence within a single, fluid breath, creating a sense of logical inevitability that is essential for high-level discourse.

Vocabulary Learning

judicial (adj.)
Relating to the administration of justice or courts.
Example:The judicial process was delayed by procedural errors.
determination (n.)
A firm decision or conclusion.
Example:Her determination to succeed was evident in her relentless study habits.
motion (n.)
A formal request or proposal presented to a court.
Example:The defense filed a motion for a new trial.
posited (v.)
To put forward as a hypothesis or proposition.
Example:The researcher posited that climate change would accelerate.
physiological (adj.)
Pertaining to the functions of living organisms.
Example:Physiological responses to stress include increased heart rate.
irreversible (adj.)
Unable to be undone or reversed.
Example:The damage to the ecosystem was irreversible.
immobility (n.)
Lack of movement or inability to move.
Example:The patient's immobility required a wheelchair.
cerebrovascular (adj.)
Relating to blood vessels in the brain.
Example:A cerebrovascular accident can cause sudden paralysis.
accident (n.)
An unplanned event causing damage or injury.
Example:The car accident left both drivers injured.
implicitly (adv.)
Implied without explicit statement.
Example:He implicitly agreed to the terms by signing.
willingness (n.)
Readiness or desire to do something.
Example:Her willingness to help made the project succeed.
institutional (adj.)
Pertaining to an established organization or system.
Example:Institutional reforms were necessary to improve education.
facilitate (v.)
To make easier or assist in the progress of.
Example:The new software will facilitate data analysis.
presiding (adj.)
In charge or leading a session or court.
Example:The presiding judge listened to all arguments.
therapeutic (adj.)
Related to treatment of illness or injury.
Example:Therapeutic massage can reduce muscle tension.
interventions (n.)
Actions taken to alter a situation for improvement.
Example:Early interventions can prevent complications.
adequacy (n.)
Sufficiency or suitability of something.
Example:The adequacy of the evidence was questioned.
visitation (n.)
The act of visiting, especially in a prison context.
Example:Visitation hours were extended to accommodate families.
protocols (n.)
Established procedures or guidelines.
Example:The protocols for handling hazardous materials were strict.
strategic (adj.)
Relating to planning for success or advantage.
Example:A strategic partnership can boost market share.
maneuver (n.)
A planned movement or tactic.
Example:The diplomatic maneuver eased tensions.
provisional (adj.)
Temporary or conditional.
Example:A provisional agreement was signed pending final review.
conditional (adj.)
Dependent on certain conditions.
Example:The loan was conditional on meeting income criteria.
incarceration (n.)
The state of being imprisoned.
Example:Incarceration rates have risen in recent years.
displacement (n.)
Forced movement of people from their homes.
Example:The war caused massive displacement of civilians.
genocide (n.)
Deliberate extermination of a group.
Example:The documentary highlighted the horrors of genocide.
ethnic cleansing (n.)
Removal of an ethnic group from an area.
Example:Ethnic cleansing was a key factor in the conflict.
siege (n.)
Prolonged military blockade.
Example:The city endured a siege for months.
massacre (n.)
Large-scale killing of many people.
Example:The massacre shocked the international community.
fatalities (n.)
Deaths resulting from an event.
Example:The accident resulted in 10 fatalities.
prolonged (adj.)
Lasting for a long time.
Example:The prolonged negotiations finally reached an agreement.
necessitating (v.)
Requiring or making necessary.
Example:The crisis necessitating immediate action.
sufficient (adj.)
Enough or adequate.
Example:Sufficient evidence was presented to convict.
maximal (adj.)
Greatest possible.
Example:The maximal speed limit was enforced.
external (adj.)
Outside or from outside.
Example:External factors influenced the decision.
existing (adj.)
Already in place or existing.
Example:The existing infrastructure could support the project.
command (n.)
Authority or control over a group or organization.
Example:He held command over the troops.
incarcerated (adj.)
Imprisoned or confined.
Example:The incarcerated individual appealed the sentence.