Karadžić trial adjourned until Tuesday

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic did not appear in court on the day of the start of his war crimes trial before the Hague Tribunal. For this reason the trial was postponed for tomorrow, when the prosecution will begin its case, while Judge O-Gon Kwon called on Karadzic to show up in the courtroom Tuesday, so that the trial would not be obstructed. Karadzic trial adjourned until Tuesday Earlier in the day, reports said that if Karadzic sticks by his decision to boycott the trial, the judges will have to consider naming a defense attorney that would represent him as the process continues. Karadzic, who was extradited to the Hague in the summer of 2008, and is charged with war crimes and genocide, informed the court last week that he had not had enough time to prepare his defense, time he said was needed for a trial in which “it is necessary to confirm the final truth of war” in the former Yugoslavia and even future relations between the people of Bosnia. There has yet to be a case at the Hague Tribunal where the indictee was tried in absentia. According to B92’s sources, Karadzic advisors have made him aware of the fact that he risks permanently losing the right to serve as his own defense if he does not appear in court. Experts familiar with the practices at the tribunal said that it is also possible for the prosecution to give its opening statements even if Karadzic does not appear in court, since the statement, which lasts two days for the prosecution, is not a part of the process of presenting evidence, which in turn would not endanger Karadzic’s right to defend himself. A courtroom without Karadzic is not something the tribunal would like to see, reports said ahead of the trial opening today. The media has shown a strong interest in the case, which about 300 journalists announcing their presence at the start of the trial. Lawyer: Karadzic won't be in court tomorrow Radovan Karadzic will not appear before The Hague Tribunal on Tuesday either, member of Karadzic's team of legal advisers, attorney Goran Petronijevic, has stated for Tanjug. "Karadzic only wants to have a fair trial by being granted another 10 months for the preparation of his defense and the beginning of the trial, and he does not want to obstruct the proceedings in any way," Petronijevic said, adding that the beginning of the trial without Karadzic's presence would question the lawfulness of the process and the Tribunal's credibility. Petronijevic underscored that Karadzic, who is representing himself before the court, will not agree with the possible solution that he should be imposed a counsel ex officio, as "the imposing of an unprepared defense attorney against his will" would also represent a violation of his rights.

Karadžić trial adjourned until Tuesday

Earlier in the day, reports said that if Karadžić sticks by his decision to boycott the trial, the judges will have to consider naming a defense attorney that would represent him as the process continues.

Karadžić, who was extradited to the Hague in the summer of 2008, and is charged with war crimes and genocide, informed the court last week that he had not had enough time to prepare his defense, time he said was needed for a trial in which “it is necessary to confirm the final truth of war” in the former Yugoslavia and even future relations between the people of Bosnia.

There has yet to be a case at the Hague Tribunal where the indictee was tried in absentia.

According to B92’s sources, Karadžić advisors have made him aware of the fact that he risks permanently losing the right to serve as his own defense if he does not appear in court.

Experts familiar with the practices at the tribunal said that it is also possible for the prosecution to give its opening statements even if Karadžić does not appear in court, since the statement, which lasts two days for the prosecution, is not a part of the process of presenting evidence, which in turn would not endanger Karadžić’s right to defend himself.

A courtroom without Karadžić is not something the tribunal would like to see, reports said ahead of the trial opening today.

The media has shown a strong interest in the case, which about 300 journalists announcing their presence at the start of the trial.

Lawyer: Karadžić won't be in court tomorrow

Radovan Karadžić will not appear before The Hague Tribunal on Tuesday either, member of Karadžić's team of legal advisers, attorney Goran Petronijević, has stated for Tanjug.

"Karadžić only wants to have a fair trial by being granted another 10 months for the preparation of his defense and the beginning of the trial, and he does not want to obstruct the proceedings in any way," Petronijević said, adding that the beginning of the trial without Karadžić's presence would question the lawfulness of the process and the Tribunal's credibility.

Petronijević underscored that Karadžić, who is representing himself before the court, will not agree with the possible solution that he should be imposed a counsel ex officio, as "the imposing of an unprepared defense attorney against his will" would also represent a violation of his rights.