DUSHANBE, August 1, 2008, Asia-Plus – Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, long wanted for his role in the 1992-1995 Bosnian war, appeared Thursday at the UN war crimes tribunal.
At the initial hearing, broadcast live by five Serbian television channels, the judge told Karadzic he had 30 days to enter a plea to charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. If he does not respond on August 29, a not-guilty plea will be entered for him.
“I am satisfied with your understanding of my position,” Karadzic said.
Judge Alphons Orie said fresh charges could be laid against the former president as new facts have surfaced since the original indictment was made. He urged prosecutors to provide the new data as soon as possible.
The UN war crimes tribunal brought 11 charges against Karadzic in 1995, including those related to the massacre of 8,000 Bosnian Muslims at Srebrenica in 1995 and the siege of Sarajevo, during which 10,000 people died.
Karadzic was transferred to The Hague on Wednesday after a violent rally staged by nationalists in protest against his extradition.
Karadzic on Thursday claimed irregularities in his capture and contested the date of his arrest.
Official reports said he was arrested in Belgrade on July 21 after more than a decade on the run, but the ex-president claimed irregularities in his capture, saying he was detained several days earlier and held in an unknown location.
