Karadzic Expects to be Acquitted

30. June 2009.16:02
Radovan Karadzic intends to deny all counts of the indictment during his trial and says he expects to be acquitted.

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Radovan Karadzic has submitted to the Hague Trial Chamber a pre-trial statement in which he explains the terms on which he will base his defence.

Karadzic intends to deny all the counts in the indictment, claiming that he never “planed, instigated, ordered, or otherwise aided and abetted any of the crimes charged.”

He also claims not to been a member of a joint criminal enterprise and that as a superior he is not responsible for any of the crimes charged in indictement.

“He is not guilty of each and every charge alleged in the indictment,” the statement says.

It also notes that Karadzic wants the basis of his trial to be such that the Prosecution must prove its claims “beyond any reasonable doubt”.

“Doctor Karadzic intends to defend himself with respect and dignity. If the law is applied fairly and the truth about the events in Bosnia is allowed to come out, he he is confident that the Trial Chamber will find him not guilty,” the statement concludes.

The trial of Radovan Karadzic is expected to begin in late August or early September. Under the indictment, Karadzic is charged with genocide committed in 10 municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Srebrenica, a joint criminal enterprise and crimes committed in 27 municipalities, with special attention to the siege of Sarajevo.

On Wednesday, July 1, another status conference will be held before the Hague Tribunal.

This post is also available in: Bosnian