Karadzic war crimes trial resumes despite boycott
Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic continued to boycott his long-awaited war crimes hearing at The Hague on Tuesday, but the proceedings have continued despite his absence.
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AFP - The genocide trial of Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic resumed in his absence before a UN court Tuesday as he continued to boycott the proceedings to insist on a postponement.
"The chamber is of the view that this hearing can proceed in his absence," said presiding judge O-Gon Kwon as the hearing at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) reopened.
Karadzic had chosen not to exercise his right to be present and "must therefore accept the consequences", said the judge.
The prosecution was now set to start delivering its opening statement.
Karadzic, who is conducting his own defence, is insisting on more time to prepare his case.
The 64-year-old is charged with 11 counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the 1992-95 Bosnian war that claimed about 100,000 lives and forced some 2.2 million people from their homes.
He denies all the charges, but faces life imprisonment if convicted.
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