Karadzic boycotts trial again

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United Nations prosecutors have opened their genocide trial of Radovan Karadzic, despite his continued boycott of the case.

Yugoslav war crimes tribunal judges have ruled that the case can start, despite Karadzic's refusal to attend for the second straight day.

O-Gon Kwon, Presiding Judge, UN War Crimes Tribunal, said, "We repeat our warning to him that there are circumstances where the chamber may proceed in the absence of an accused and may assign counsel to the case."

Karadzic, who is defending himself, claims he has not had enough time to prepare.

He is charged with 11 counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 1992-1995 Bosnian war.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Karadzic has refused to enter pleas, but insists he is innocent.

Dozens of war survivors, who watched the trial unfold, have been disappointed by Karadzic's absence.

The tribunal initially intended to finish all Karadzic trials by 2008 and all appeals by 2010. But it now expects it will not conclude them before early 2012, while the appeals may run till 2013.