Karadzic boycotts opening of war crimes trial

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The former Bosnian Serb leader, Radovan Karadzic has denied all 11 war crimes charges arising from the 1992-95 Bosnian war. He boycotted the first day of his trial at the Hague on Monday. His absence caused mixed reactions in Serbia and Bosnia.

The defendant's seat was empty.

Radovan Karadzic is representing himself and has argued that more time is needed to prepare a defense.

Judges said they will appoint a lawyer to represent him if he fails to turn up again.

Judge O-gon Kwon of International Criminal Court said, "…The chamber will adjourn these proceedings today, however we will reconvene tomorrow at 2:15 p.m. at which time we will hear prosecution opening statement. We will press Mr. Karadzic to attend, so the trial is not further obstructed."

Judges are eager to try the tribunal's highest profile defendant, after his arrest 15 months ago.

Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb leader, is charged with genocide stemming from the massacre of about 8 thousand Bosnian Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in July 1995.

For some, the Hague war crimes tribunal is an anti-Serbian institution.

Petar Sisovic, Serbian resident, said, "Why would he appear at the Hague war crimes tribunal, when the trial is not fair, that's not a tribunal, it's against Serbs and orthodox Christianity."

Bosnian women stage a protest in The Hague at the start of the  trial against Radovan Karadzic. Karadzic boycotted the start of  his UN genocide trial, forcing an adjournment for a day as the  judge accused the Bosnian Serb wartime leader of obstructing the  process.(AFP/ANP/Rick Nederstigt)

In Bosnia, feelings were different.

Victims of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, watched the broadcast of the trial with tears and anger.

Sabra Mujic, Srebrenica resident, said, "We mothers don't ask for much. We cannot get back what we have lost. But the only thing I would want is that I can judge him, we mothers can judge him."

The battle of wills at the start of the trial is reminiscent of the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, who died in 2006 before his trial ended.

Experts said Karadzic had the right not to show up but that the court could also go ahead without him.