A UN war crimes court on Thursday rejects a request by former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic for early release, despite his claims of deteriorating health. Mladic, 84, is serving a life sentence after being convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity for his role in the 1992–95 war in Bosnia. Both outlets report that the court considers the application and denies the bid for release tied to medical concerns. The decision is reached by the UN court responsible for enforcing sentences for individuals convicted at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), where Mladic was tried. The reports characterize Mladic as a senior figure among Bosnian Serb forces during the conflict, and they note that his case has been closely followed internationally due to the scale of the atrocities for which he was found responsible. The court’s ruling means Mladic remains in custody serving his life sentence.