Trial starts without Karadžic
Tue 27 Oct 2009
On Monday 26 of October the trial of Radovan Karadžić started, almost 14 years after the issuance of an indictment by the International Criminal tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY), without the suspect. One of the highest ranking officials to be indicted by the Tribunal, former President of Republika Srpska, head of the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) and Supreme Commander of the Bosnian Serb Army (VRS), refused to appear before the court, claiming he is not ready for the trail as he needs more time to prepare his defence.
Despite the absence of the suspect, who is insisting to defend himself, the court ruled the trial could begin. Judge O-Gon Kwon said Karadžić had chosen not to exercise his right to be present and “must therefore accept the consequences”. The court is considering imposing a lawyer to represent Karadžić if he continues to boycott proceedings.
In opening remarks, prosecutors described the suspect as “supreme commander” of a campaign of ethnic cleansing. Karadžić denies all charges relating to the Bosnian war of the 1990s. Karadžić, arrested in Serbia in July 2008, is charged with two counts of genocide and a multitude of other crimes committed against Bosnian Muslim, Bosnian Croat and other non-Serb civilians in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1992-1995 war.
Plavsić released
Separately, former Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsić - convicted of war crimes - has been released. Plavsić was the highest ranking official from the former Yugoslavia to have pleaded guilty for her part in the Bosnian War. She was sentenced in 2003 to 11 years in a Swedish jail. A Swedish court has allowed her early release for good behaviour.
More detailed information on the Karadzic case can be found on the website of ICTY.
Sources: BIRN, ICTY, BBC and Volkskrant
Back to news
Albania
Fri 27 Jan 2012
On 8 May relatively calm and dignified local elections were held in Albania, following a violent campaign during which some candidates were beaten up. Holding elections in accordance to democratic standards is seen by many observers as crucial to the country’s EU accession hopes. Read the country update for the latest developments.
Read full update
Croatia
Mon 23 Jan 2012
On 9 December Croatia has signed the accession treaty with the EU in Brussels and will become the 28th EU member on July 1 2013. “Welcome to the European family”, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy stated, adding that despite the economic problems the EU is open for accession of Balkan countries. The outgoing Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and President Ivo Josipovic signed...
Read full update
Kyrgyzstan
Mon 23 Jan 2012
After the Tulip revolution (March 2005) that started out of discontent with the undemocratic tendencies of President Askar Akayev, the President fled the country. Subsequently Kurmanbek Bakiyev was elected President but was also ousted after he was blamed of nepotism and corruption in April 2010. An interim government was established, led by interim President Roza Otunbayeva of the Social...
Read full update
