The families of those scarred by some of the worst atrocities in Europe since the Second World War, reacted with fury after the man they hold responsible boycotted the start of his trial.

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic failed to turn up at the Hague international tribunal where he faces 11 war crimes charges following the 1992-95 Bosnian war. The 64-year-old claimed he needed more time to prepare his defence. The judge adjourned the trial after 15 minutes and said the case would resume on Tuesday with the prosecutions opening statements. Sitting Judge O-Gon Kwon believes the trial should go ahead, effectively paving the way to try the former politician, poet and psychiatrist in absentia. The complex trial is expected to last years with over one million pages of prosecution papers and involve hundreds of witnesses.More about: Radovan Karadžić, Serbia, War crimes

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