Karadzic fears unfair Hague trial

Amsterdam, Aug. 2: Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, in his first legal brief to the UN war crimes tribunal published, claimed he is the victim of a media witch hunt that will prevent him from getting a fair trial.

Karadzic made his first appearance at the UN Yugoslav war crimes tribunal on Thursday, 13 years after he was indicted on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

He declined to plead to the 11 charges against him, and another hearing was scheduled for August 29 when he will again be asked to enter a plea. If he again refuses, the judge will enter not-guilty pleas on his behalf.

In court on Thursday, Karadzic tried to protest what he called "numerous irregularities" leading to his arrest. judge Alphons Orie cut him short, saying the plea hearing was inappropriate for such remarks.

Judge Orie suggested that Karadzic, who has asked to act as his own attorney, submit his statement on Friday as a brief to the court after the hearing.

—AP