Prosecutors say Karadzic must not represent himself

Iraq News.Net
Thursday 24th July, 2008

War crimes prosecutors have vetoed Radovan Karadzic’s decision to represent himself over war crimes charges.

Prosecutors at The Hague's United Nations war crimes tribunal say they will oppose any move by Karadzic to represent himself if his extradited to go before the tribunal on genocide charges.

Karadzic, who stands indicted for genocide and crimes against humanity, was arrested in Belgrade on Monday after more than a decade on the run.

The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Tribunal has said cases which go before The Hague are complex and the prosecution consistently opposes self representation.

Karadzic's lawyer has confirmed he will file an appeal against Karadzic's transfer to the The Hague on Friday, the final day allowed under Serbia's law on cooperation with the tribunal.

Once filed, a special panel of Serbia's war crimes court will have three days to decide on the application.

The lawyer has said Karadzic is sceptical about what he calls an unjust court which is against Serbs, and hopes the tribunal's mandate, presently set for 2010, will expire before the end of any forthcoming trial.

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