Vucic: Hague court decides to grant early release to General Pavkovic

Speaking to Serbian reporters, Vucic explained that the Serbian government, at his urging, submitted a request to the MICT, which was approved, underscoring the dire state of Pavkovic’s health.

“We are now sending an annex to the response, and once we get their reply, Pavkovic will finally see the light of a free Serbia, the country he fought so bravely for in that heroic year of 1999,” Vucic said, expressing his joy at the prospect of Pavkovic’s return.

Vucic noted that he is not a doctor and cannot speak to the specifics of Pavkovic’s condition, but said he wishes him “a long life and better health.”

“But I am happy that he’s lived to see the day when he can look at the open sky of his homeland from the free soil of Serbia,” he added.

Pavkovic submitted an urgent application for early release to the MICT on August 13, citing his rapidly declining health.

His counsel, Aleksandar Aleksic, stated in the application that Pavkovic’s condition had worsened significantly, putting his life at risk.

Based on communication with Pavkovic and the Serbian Embassy in Finland, where he is serving his sentence, Aleksic noted that, over the past few days, the general has not been eating, he is receiving IV fluids, and feels very bad.

Pavkovic held various roles in the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) and was assigned to the Pristina Corps in Kosovo and Metohija starting in 1994, taking command in 1998.

In late 2003, he and other generals faced charges from the Hague Tribunal, and in 2005, he was extradited to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

In 2009, he was found guilty on all counts, including deportations, forced transfers, murders, persecutions, and other inhumane acts, and sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Others convicted alongside him included Vladimir Lazarevic, Nikola Sainovic, Dragoljub Ojdanic, and Sreten Lukic. Slobodan Milosevic, the primary accused, died in custody, while Milan Milutinovic was acquitted.