From the Los Angeles Times

Radovan Karadzic says he will represent himself at war-crimes trial

Karadzic, who was president of the self-declared Bosnian Serb Republic, tells tribunal at The Hague that he'll act as his own attorney. He faces charges including genocide and crimes against humanity.

By Tracy Wilkinson
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

8:32 AM PDT, July 31, 2008

A somber Radovan Karadzic appeared before the international war crimes tribunal at The Hague today and announced he would represent himself in his trial on charges of genocide, murder and crimes against humanity.

Karadzic, one of Europe's most notorious war-crimes suspects and who eluded capture for more than a decade, listened impassively as Judge Alphons Orie read a summary of the chilling indictment issued against him in 1995.

Dressed in a dark gray suit and tie, his face clean-shaven and his thick silver hair trimmed and neatly combed, Karadzic smiled when he said he intended to wave his right for counsel. He wiped his dark, arched brows at one point during the reading of the indictment.

Karadzic declined to enter a plea and has 30 days to do so. He revealed that a new indictment was in the works, something that surprised the judge but was confirmed by lead prosecutor Serge Brammertz.

The judge asked Karadzic to state his name and birthdate for the record, and asked if there were family or diplomatic representatives whom he believed need to be informed of his presence at The Hague.

"I don't believe there is anyone who doesn't know I'm in this detention unit," he said to mild laughter.

Karadzic, who was president of the self-declared Bosnian Serb Republic, is accused of individual and "superior" responsibility in the 11-count indictment, which includes the charge of genocide, five charges of crimes against humanity and four other war-crime allegations.

The indictment described actions by Bosnian Serb forces led by Karadzic during the 1991-95 war, including the killing of scores of civilians, the establishing of numerous detention camps where Muslims and Croats were rounded up, the forced deportation of thousands of non-Serbs and the "wanton destruction" of non-Serb property.

"Because of your position and power and the widespread nature of the events described in the indictment," the judge read, it is alleged "that you knew or had reason to know that Bosnian Serb forces under your control were committing these crimes and you failed to take the necessary and reasonable steps to prevent" them.

Asked if he had any comments, Karadzic complained of "numerous irregularities" with the way he was apprehended and transferred to the court. Among other things, he disputes the day of his arrest by Serbian authorities, claiming they detained him three days before acknowledging it.

Orie set the next hearing for Aug. 29.