Karadžić takes centre stage at ICTY
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The trial of Radovan Karadžić re-opened today as the former Bosnian Serb leader took to the stand. He said the Bosnian war was “just and holy” and blamed the war on Bosnian Muslims, claiming he had “evidence and proof.” His opening statement will continue into tomorrow.
Mr Karadžić stands accused of 11 counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The charges include orchestrating the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, which led to the death of more than 7,000 Muslim men and boys. He has pleaded not guilty on all counts.
Mr Karadžić has been boycotting his trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), arguing that he had not been given adequate time to read the 1.3 million pages of evidence and hundreds of witness statements submitted by the prosecution.
The former president of Republika Srpska has opted to conduct his own defence but following his failure to co-operate with the initial October start date, the court appointed British Counsel Richard Harvey to represent him if he continues to obstruct proceedings. Mr Harvey sat behind the defendant during today’s session.
It is unknown whether Mr Karadžić will attend the trial after concluding his opening statement when the prosecution calls their first witness on Wednesday.
Victims groups have repeatedly attended the trial. They were left bitterly disappointed following the defendants no-show in October and aggrieved with the court’s failure to force Karadžić to trial.
"We are here today to tell the whole world that victims are still alive and we are waiting for the truth and for justice," said Melina Hadziselimovic of the victim’s group, Mothers of Srebrenica, today.
A psychiatrist before becoming president of the self-proclaimed Republica Srpska, Mr Karadžić posed as a bearded alternative healer under the name Dragan Dabic in Belgrade until his capture in July 2008.
