Karadzic absent at war crimes trial again

Tue Oct 27 2009 14:26:01

The war crimes trial of Radovan Karadzic has reportedly gone ahead without him.

The former Bosnian Serb leader was due to appear in court at the Hague this morning after boycotting the first day of the trial on Monday.

Mr Karadzic claimed he needs at least nine months to prepare his defence, but judges responded by saying they would proceed without him.

He faces 11 charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity relating to the 1992-1995 Bosnian war, including one over the 43-month siege of Sarajevo, and two for the massacre at Srebrenica. He denies all the charges.

Protesters outside the court in the Hague reacted angrily to Karadzic's boycott, some complaining that the former psychiatrist was trying to dictate terms to the court.

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