ARCHPRIEST BILBIJA: GENERAL MLADIĆ IS EXCEPTIONAL MAN AND SOLDIER, AND HE SHOULD BE HELPED

BELGRADE, APRIL 23 /SRNA/ - Serbian General Ratko Mladić is an exceptional man and soldier and should be helped, Archpriest Vojislav Bilbija told SRNA, who, a few days ago, visited Mladić in his hospital bed in The Hague, heard his confession, and gave him Holy Communion.

“He personally called me to come urgently, as if he sensed something. I came to the room where he is being treated to give him Holy Communion and hear a confession. I believe his right side is immobile,” Bilbija said. Despite his physical weakness, Bilbija noted that the general still demonstrated spiritual strength during the visit. Bilbija declined to comment on the fact that the authorities in The Hague consistently refuse to allow adequate medical treatment for General Mladić. “These are political matters, and I would not like to discuss them. I believe that assistance should be provided,” Bilbija said. Archpriest Bilbija has been providing spiritual care to Serbian detainees for years, and this year he also conducted Easter services and spent the holiday with them. General Ratko Mladić suffered a stroke on April 10, and his already serious health condition has further deteriorated, with severe neurological, cardiovascular, and nephrological problems. He has been in the prison hospital for two full years and has been bedridden for the past year and a half. The Residual Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague has refused to grant him temporary release for medical treatment.