Updated on
Summary
The Mothers of Srebrenica staged the protest on Monday on what should be the first day of the trial for former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. But Karadzic has threatened to boycott the start of his trial, saying he needs more time to prepare his defence against charges of genocide and war crimes during the 1992-95 Bosnian war. Judges at the Yugoslavia war crimes tribunal, where Karadzic faces 11 war crimes charges including genocide at Srebrenica, had been eager to get the trial of the tribunal's highest profile defendant underway after his arrest 15 months ago. Karadzic, who is representing himself and denies all charges, says he has not had enough time to prepare his defence in what he calls the biggest, most complex, important and sensitive case ever before this tribunal. Judges may choose to suspend the case, impose counsel to represent Karadzic, or start the trial without him or force him to attend proceedings.The Mothers of Srebrenica, who have been fighting for justice for the victims of the massacre 14 years ago welcomed the trial. But in a press release last week they said they were also calling for dialogue between the UN, the Dutch state and the relatives of the Srebrenica victims over the role of the UN Dutch forces deployed to protect the victims.Barely recognisable with long hair and a flowing beard, Karadzic was arrested on a bus in Belgrade on July 21 last year after more than 11 years on the run. Disguised as a new-age healer, Karadzic had spent much of his time living openly in Belgrade.
