Karadzic: False introduction

By Nidzara Ahmetasevic at The Hague

29 August 2008  Radovan Karadzic refused to enter his plea to the counts contained in the indictment, which might be changed, as announced by the Prosecution, by the end of September.

Radovan Karadzic refused to enter his plea during the course of his second appearance before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, ICTY. Therefore, judge Ian Bonomy recorded a plea of not guilty to all 11 counts in the indictment.

"This is a court of NATO, which made a decision to execute me," Karadzic said, denying once again the Tribunal’s competencies. "I no longer claim to be somebody else and I expect others to follow my example".

For the same reason Karadzic said he did not want the indictment to be read to him. "I waive my right to have the indictment read to me. I am not interested in listening to it. Not only because of the fact that I am awaiting a new one, but also because I have not yet formed a team of my associates. I believe I shall have completed this process by the time I receive the new indictment," Karadzic said.

The Hague Tribunal charges Radovan Karadzic, under eleven counts, with genocide, abetting genocide, crimes against humanity, violation of laws and practices of warfare and other crimes.

Judge Bonomy advised Karadzic to accept the offer to have someone appointed as his legal representatives, as this would simplify the upcoming process. Besides that, he told him that he could file any eventual motions, including the one contravening the jurisdictions of the Tribunal, only after he had received the new indictment and its attachments.

Prosecutor Alan Tiger announced that he might file the new indictment with the Court for confirmation, "by the end of the next month, i.e. in the last week of September". He explained that the Prosecution wanted to thoroughly review the available documents and consider eventual amendments.

"I am very surprised to hear that, considering how much time has passed since the first indictment was filed. I am surprised by the fact that you are undertaking all the work only now, when we know how important this case is. I hope that the date you mentioned is not the date when you are going to file your request," preliminary hearing judge Ian Bonomy said, warning the Prosecution.

The first indictment against Radovan Karadzic was filed in 1995. It was last changed in 2000.

Karadzic was arrested in Belgrade on July 21, after having been on the run for 13 years. His next appearance before the Court is due on September 17, when a status conference will be held in order to discuss the further course of the trial.

As indicated by judge Bonomy, the trial will be scheduled "in due course".