Mladic says too ill to attend war crime court hearing

Bosnian Serb ex-army chief Ratko Mladic Thursday told the former Yugoslav war crimes court he was too ill to attend a hearing, while a judge considered ordering a full report into his health.The 69-year-old former general who is charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, has complained of being ill since his first appearance before the Hague-based tribunal in June.I am unable to attend court proceedings on this date due to illness, Mladic said in a document Thursday, published by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).I waive my right to be present at the court on this date and give my consent for the proceedings to continue in my absence, but in the presence of my counsel, he said in a signed statement.Mladic, who faces 11 counts before the tribunal was scheduled to appear Thursday to plead on a new charge relating to the murder of 30 Muslims at Bisina in eastern Bosnia on July 23 1995.Earlier today, Mladic was examined by the Detention Unit Medical Officer who confirmed that the accused is indeed too unwell to attend the court, ICTY spokeswoman Nerma Jelacic confirmed.Tribunal judge Alphons Orie postponed Mladics appearance as he continued with the hearing to check on the status of his case.But Orie said: Because of the medical issues brought to the chambers attention during the last few days, it is considering ordering a medical report addressing the medical full picture of the accuseds health.The man dubbed the Butcher of Bosnia was arrested in Serbia on May 26 after 16 years on the run. He told judges he was a gravely ill man at his first appearance on June 3.