Karadzic appears at UN war crimes tribunal

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-01 00:06

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic is pictured in this video grab in the court room of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia at the start of his initial appearance in The Hague July 31, 2008. Karadzic faces a UN war crimes judge for the first time to answer charges of genocide for his actions in the 1992-95 Bosnia war. [Agencies]

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic appeared at the UN's Yugoslav war crimes tribunal for the first time Thursday, telling the judge he would defend himself against charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Appearing older and thinner than during the Bosnian war and shorn of the long white hair and bushy beard that once disguised him, Karadzic refused to enter pleas on the 11 charges against him or have his full indictment read to him.

He told the court he would act as his own lawyer.

"I have an invisible adviser but I have decided to represent myself," he calmly told presiding judge Alphons Orie.

Karadzic, who smiled at times during the hearing, listened intently as Orie read a summary of the indictment in which prosecutors allege Karadzic masterminded atrocities, including the Srebrenica massacre and siege of Sarajevo during Bosnia's 1992-95 war.

"I am not interested in having someone else read the indictment to me," he said. "I would rather receive the new indictment that has been announced and have sufficient time to study it and then have my initial appearance for that and enter my plea."

Prosecutor Serge Brammertz confirmed that he was planning to amend the indictment but gave no further details.

Orie scheduled a new hearing on Aug. 29 at which Karadzic will have to enter pleas. If he does not, the court will enter not guilty pleas for him.

Karadzic then identified himself by stating his name, date and place of birth. He also gave his most recent address as his family home in Pale, Bosnia, but also gave the address of the apartment in Belgrade where he was living under an assumed name before his address.

When Orie asked him if his family knew where he was being held, Karadzic replied "I do not believe there is anyone who does not know that I am in the detention unit."

When Orie asked him if his family knew where he was being held, Karadzic smiled and replied "I do not believe there is anyone who does not know that I am in the detention unit."