Karadzic Trial Finally Starts

Ratko Mladic i Radovan Karadzic

Karadzic is indicted for genocide and crimes against humanity, committed from 1992 to 1995 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Keeping to an earlier pledge, Karadzic refused to appear before the court, claiming he is not ready for the trail. Justice O’Gon Kwon said that this is the defendant's decision and that Karadzic was voluntarily refusing to be in the courtroom during the Prosecution's opening.

Kwon said that the next trial hearing will be held on Monday, adding that the Court is considering imposing counsel on Karadzic if he maintains his refusal to appear.

Karadzic is insisting that he defend himself.

Transcripts from the Prosecution's opening remarks will be delivered to Karadzic and his defence advisors.

The Prosecution started by outlining the evidence that will be presented and its schedule for doing so. It referred to the circa 300 witnesses that will be called, and the evidence they will present.

Prosecutor Alan Tiger said the Court will hear testimony from Sarajevo residents who lived under siege for more than 4,000 days.

“They will talk about life in the city [during the conflict] where even doing the simplest thing was life-threatening, and that there was not a safe place to hide,” said Tiger.

He added that the prosecution will call witnesses from Srebrenica, including a “mother who will talk about how they tried to protect their boys after the fall of Srebrenica”.

Prosecution evidence will show that Karadzic intended to divide Bosnia and, as he said, to “cleanse" the country. This cleansing was to be done by his "soldiers”.

“The ultimate goal was to unite with Serbia,” Tiger alleged.

While the Prosecution gave its opening remarks, hundreds of victims who came from Bosnia to The Hague, were protesting in front of the Tribunal building.

Karadzic was arrested in Belgrade on July 21, 2008, and was transferred 10 days later to the Hague. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.