The prosecution has opened its case in the war crimes trial of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, even though he has again refused to attend.

The prosecution focused on four of the 11 charges Karadzic is facing. He stayed in his cell, insisting he is not being given enough time to defend himself. Prosecutor Alan Tieger said: “The indictment as you know charges Radovan Karadzic with participation in four separate but related joint criminal enterprises. “Number one, the campign to forcibly remove Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats from vast portions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a campaign that rose to genocidal levels in certain municipalities. “Number two, the protracted sniping and shelling of Sarajevo’s civilians to produce and maintain terror. “Number three, the taking of UN peacekeepers and military observers as hostages and human shields. “Number four, the elimination of the Muslims in Srebrenica, the organised killings of the men and expulsion of the women and children.” The judge warned Karadzic that if he continued to refuse to appear he ran the risk of being represented by a court-appointed counsel, and being tried in absentia. This decision could be made next week.More about: Radovan Karadžić, War crimes

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