Hague denies early release for Sarajevo siege commander Milosevic

WISE NEWS PRESS / THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS — Dec. 6, 2025

The UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (UNIRMCT) in The Hague has rejected the application for early release on humanitarian grounds filed by Dragomir Milosevic, the former Serb commander convicted of targeting civilians during the siege of Sarajevo.

In the decision announced by UNIRMCT President Graciela Gatti Santana, the application by the 83-year-old convict, citing old age and deteriorating health, was reviewed. The court ruled that Milosevic's condition does not prevent him from remaining under prison conditions.

"No life-threatening condition, care is adequate"

In the published rejection decision, President Santana stated that Milosevic is not in "an acute crisis or a life-threatening medical condition." The ruling emphasized that despite the convict's age and chronic ailments, the medical care provided in the Estonian prison where he is serving his sentence is deemed sufficient.

Milosevic's lawyers had argued that their client had been unable to establish personal contact with his family due to being held far from his country for a long time, claiming this situation necessitated release on humanitarian grounds.

Visual Representation: The International Criminal Court building in The Hague. The international court strictly conditions early release requests for war crime convicts. (Photo: Archive)

Legal conditions and judicial denial

The court acknowledged that Milosevic having served two-thirds of his sentence met the technical requirement for an early release application. However, President Santana concluded after reviewing the file that "compelling humanitarian grounds to justify early release have not been demonstrated."

This decision eliminates Milosevic's hope of freedom before completing his sentence and is viewed as part of the fight against the perception of "impunity" in international law.

Terrorizing civilians with snipers

Former General Dragomir Milosevic commanded the Sarajevo-Romanija Corps of the Bosnian Serb Army during the Bosnian War (1992-1995). Milosevic was found guilty of directing systematic sniper and artillery attacks against civilians during the 44-month siege of Sarajevo, known as the longest siege in modern history.

During the siege, more than 11,000 civilians lost their lives, including approximately 1,600 children.

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