This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7587623.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Not guilty plea made for Karadzic Karadzic refuses war crimes pleas
(10 minutes later)
A plea of not guilty has been entered on behalf of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic at the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague. Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has refused to enter a plea to charges of war crimes at the UN tribunal in The Hague.
Mr Karadzic, 63, refused to enter a plea against the charges of war crimes, so judges acted for him, in line with the rules of the court. A tribunal judge entered a plea of not guilty to all charges on his behalf, in line with the rules of the court.
He appeared in court to face 11 counts, including genocide, relating to the 1990s Bosnian war. At his second court hearing, he faced 11 counts, including genocide, relating to the 1990s Bosnian civil war.
Mr Karadzic was arrested in Belgrade in July after 13 years on the run. Mr Karadzic was arrested in the Serbian capital Belgrade in July after 13 years on the run, living under a false name.
Facing the tribunal and looking calm and composed, Mr Karadzic said it was a "court of Nato" which had as its aim his "liquidation".Facing the tribunal and looking calm and composed, Mr Karadzic said it was a "court of Nato" which had as its aim his "liquidation".
"I've stopped using a false name so I think that all parties should do the same," he said. 'I will not plead'
Judge Iain Bonomy entered the plea of not guilty after the defendant declined to hear all the charges against him individually.
THE INDICTMENT Eleven counts of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocitiesCharged over shelling Sarajevo during the city's siege, in which some 12,000 civilians diedAllegedly organised the massacre of up to 8,000 Bosniak men and youths in SrebrenicaTargeted Bosniak and Croat political leaders, intellectuals and professionalsUnlawfully deported and transferred civilians because of national or religious identityDestroyed homes, businesses and sacred sites In pictures: Karadzic in courtCivil start to Karadzic legal battle
"As to count one of the indictment," the judge had begun.
"You're charged with genocide... How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?"
"I will not plead, in line with my standpoint as regards this court," Mr Karadzic replied.
"I shall therefore enter a plea on your behalf of not guilty," the judge said.
"Is that the position you're going to take in relation to each of the other 10 charges on the indictment?"
"Absolutely, yes," Mr Karadzic confirmed.
As Judge Bonomy entered the not guilty pleas, the former Bosnian Serb leader asked: "May I hold you to your word?"
"Which word?" asked the judge.
"That I'm not guilty," replied Mr Karadzic.
"We shall see in due course, Mr Karadzic," the judge said.
Deal claimDeal claim
The indictment includes genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.The indictment includes genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The alleged crimes include Mr Karadzic's involvement in an attempt to destroy in whole or in part the Bosnian Muslim (Bosniak) and Bosnian Croat ethnic groups.The alleged crimes include Mr Karadzic's involvement in an attempt to destroy in whole or in part the Bosnian Muslim (Bosniak) and Bosnian Croat ethnic groups.
That included the killing of thousands of civilians in Srebrenica by Bosnian Serb forces, and the shelling of Sarajevo, killing and terrorising the city's civilians.That included the killing of thousands of civilians in Srebrenica by Bosnian Serb forces, and the shelling of Sarajevo, killing and terrorising the city's civilians.
The indictment says Mr Karadzic knew about the crimes that were being committed by Bosnian Serb forces, but failed to take action to prevent them.The indictment says Mr Karadzic knew about the crimes that were being committed by Bosnian Serb forces, but failed to take action to prevent them.
THE INDICTMENT Eleven counts of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocitiesCharged over shelling Sarajevo during the city's siege, in which some 12,000 civilians diedAllegedly organised the massacre of up to 8,000 Bosniak men and youths in SrebrenicaTargeted Bosniak and Croat political leaders, intellectuals and professionalsUnlawfully deported and transferred civilians because of national or religious identityDestroyed homes, businesses and sacred sites In pictures: Karadzic in courtCivil start to Karadzic legal battle
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge, at The Hague, says it was almost unthinkable that Mr Karadzic would plead guilty to the charges laid against him.The BBC's Mike Wooldridge, at The Hague, says it was almost unthinkable that Mr Karadzic would plead guilty to the charges laid against him.
Since his first appearance before the court 30 days ago, he has filed several motions including one contesting the appointment of presiding Dutch judge Alphons Orie, who he claims is biased against him.Since his first appearance before the court 30 days ago, he has filed several motions including one contesting the appointment of presiding Dutch judge Alphons Orie, who he claims is biased against him.
The judge has now been replaced.The judge has now been replaced.
He argues that the trial against him is illegal because under the terms of a deal made with former US peace envoy Richard Holbrooke, he was offered immunity from prosecution. The claims have been ridiculed by Mr Holbrooke.He argues that the trial against him is illegal because under the terms of a deal made with former US peace envoy Richard Holbrooke, he was offered immunity from prosecution. The claims have been ridiculed by Mr Holbrooke.