Radovan Karadzic, the former leader of the Bosnian Serb political party during the human rights debacle in the Balkans during the 90s, has announced that he will be boycotting Monday's trial for his crimes in Bosnia, the BBC reported.
Karadzic claims that he needs more time to prepare a proper defense. Officials are still deciding whether to postpone the trial, have a lawyer represent him, or simply proceed with an empty docket.
Analysts suggest that the trial is the last effort to examine Srebrenica, a former UN safe zone in which some 8000 people were massacred in 1995. This genocide is one of many charges leveled against Karadzic.
Slobodan Milosevic, another leader charged with crimes relating to the incidents in Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo, died in 2004 with his trial still ongoing.
I think that they should issue Karadzic more time to develop his defense. While, I believe Karadzic is directly involved in the mass genocide, it would be interesting to see what he brings up in his defense. I think he is most likely going to be found guilty, so whether he can form a legitimate testimony will be interesting. Also, I think the court should give him a set deadline that he has to follow for his new defense, otherwise they can proceed with an empty docket.
