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Karadzic faces witnesses at trial Karadzic faces witnesses at trial
(10 minutes later)
The former Bosnian Serb leader, Radovan Karadzic, is facing the first prosecution witnesses as his war crimes trial resumes at The Hague.The former Bosnian Serb leader, Radovan Karadzic, is facing the first prosecution witnesses as his war crimes trial resumes at The Hague.
Ahmet Zulic, a Bosnian Muslim, told the judges his elderly father-in-law was burned alive by advancing Serb forces.Ahmet Zulic, a Bosnian Muslim, told the judges his elderly father-in-law was burned alive by advancing Serb forces.
Mr Karadzic has said he wants to conduct his own defence and intends to cross-examine the witnesses himself.Mr Karadzic has said he wants to conduct his own defence and intends to cross-examine the witnesses himself.
He denies 11 charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity relating to the 1992-95 Bosnian war.He denies 11 charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity relating to the 1992-95 Bosnian war.
In his opening statement last month, Mr Karadzic described the conflict as "just and holy", and blamed Bosnian Muslims for starting it.In his opening statement last month, Mr Karadzic described the conflict as "just and holy", and blamed Bosnian Muslims for starting it.
Up until then, he had boycotted the trial and sought to delay it.Up until then, he had boycotted the trial and sought to delay it.
'Throats slit''Throats slit'
Prosecutors at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) are expected to present evidence from some 410 witnesses, over several months.Prosecutors at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) are expected to present evidence from some 410 witnesses, over several months.
WITNESS - AHMET ZULIC Previously gave evidence in three other trials, including that of former Yugoslav President Slobodan MilosevicMuslim former inmate of Manjaca detention camp, near Sanski MostTestimony includes alleged murder in June 1992 of about 20 men made to dig their own graves by - it is claimed - Serb soldiersAlso a witness to alleged prisoner beatings and starvationWITNESS - AHMET ZULIC Previously gave evidence in three other trials, including that of former Yugoslav President Slobodan MilosevicMuslim former inmate of Manjaca detention camp, near Sanski MostTestimony includes alleged murder in June 1992 of about 20 men made to dig their own graves by - it is claimed - Serb soldiersAlso a witness to alleged prisoner beatings and starvation
In his testimony, Mr Zulic said his father-in-law had been killed by Serb troops "mopping up" the survivors of an artillery attack in May 1992 on the mainly Muslim village of Mahala, near Sanski Most in north-western Bosnia.In his testimony, Mr Zulic said his father-in-law had been killed by Serb troops "mopping up" the survivors of an artillery attack in May 1992 on the mainly Muslim village of Mahala, near Sanski Most in north-western Bosnia.
"You could see houses burning," he said. "People who were infirm remained in Mahala... because they had no time to escape."You could see houses burning," he said. "People who were infirm remained in Mahala... because they had no time to escape.
"I could see the shells flying and exploding.""I could see the shells flying and exploding."
When asked who was responsible for the attack, Mr Zulic responded: "It was the Serb army of occupation and Serb paramilitary units."When asked who was responsible for the attack, Mr Zulic responded: "It was the Serb army of occupation and Serb paramilitary units."
Mr Zulic also watched Serbs force about 20 Muslim men to dig their own graves before slashing their throats or shooting them, prosecutor Ann Sutherland said.Mr Zulic also watched Serbs force about 20 Muslim men to dig their own graves before slashing their throats or shooting them, prosecutor Ann Sutherland said.
He was later held in Bosnian Serb-run detention centres from June to November 1992, during which time his weight dropped from 90kg to 55kg, she added.He was later held in Bosnian Serb-run detention centres from June to November 1992, during which time his weight dropped from 90kg to 55kg, she added.
But the BBC's Peter Biles at The Hague says that so far there has been no evidence from Mr Zulic linking these events to Mr Karadzic.But the BBC's Peter Biles at The Hague says that so far there has been no evidence from Mr Zulic linking these events to Mr Karadzic.
Mr Zulic has given evidence to the ICTY on three previous occasions, including in the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. Mr Zulic has given evidence to the ICTY on three previous occasions, including in the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, who died of a heart attack in 2006 before his trial concluded.
Milosevic died of a heart attack in 2006 before his trial concluded. At the beginning of Tuesday's proceedings, Mr Karadzic told the court that he did not plan to testify in his own defence, which would deprive prosecutors the chance to cross-examine him.
Presiding Judge O-Gon Kwon meanwhile warned him that he would not tolerate delays and might limit the length of his cross-examinations.
DelaysDelays
Mr Karadzic faces two charges of genocide, as well as nine other counts including murder, extermination, persecution and forced deportation.Mr Karadzic faces two charges of genocide, as well as nine other counts including murder, extermination, persecution and forced deportation.
KARADZIC CHARGES Eleven counts of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocitiesCharged over shelling of 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 Delays and prevarications at trialKARADZIC CHARGES Eleven counts of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocitiesCharged over shelling of 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 Delays and prevarications at trial
Prosecutors say he orchestrated a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" against Muslims and Croats in eastern Bosnia to create an ethnically pure Serbian state.Prosecutors say he orchestrated a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" against Muslims and Croats in eastern Bosnia to create an ethnically pure Serbian state.
In his opening statement last October, prosecutor Alan Tieger said Mr Karadzic had "harnessed the forces of nationalism, hatred and fear to pursue his vision of an ethnically segregated Bosnia".In his opening statement last October, prosecutor Alan Tieger said Mr Karadzic had "harnessed the forces of nationalism, hatred and fear to pursue his vision of an ethnically segregated Bosnia".
Mr Karadzic had boycotted earlier proceedings, insisting on more time to prepare his case. His last attempt to have the trial postponed was dismissed by the tribunal's judges this month.Mr Karadzic had boycotted earlier proceedings, insisting on more time to prepare his case. His last attempt to have the trial postponed was dismissed by the tribunal's judges this month.
In November, the court appointed British lawyer Richard Harvey to be present in court to represent him if that became necessary.In November, the court appointed British lawyer Richard Harvey to be present in court to represent him if that became necessary.
Mr Karadzic has said he does not plan to testify in his own defence, which would deprive prosecutors the chance to cross-examine him.
Mr Karadzic was arrested in Belgrade in 2008 after nearly 13 years on the run.Mr Karadzic was arrested in Belgrade in 2008 after nearly 13 years on the run.
During his time in power, he was president of the self-styled Bosnian Serb Republic and commander of its army during the Bosnian conflict which left more than 100,000 people dead. He is the most significant figure to go before the ICTY since Milosevic.During his time in power, he was president of the self-styled Bosnian Serb Republic and commander of its army during the Bosnian conflict which left more than 100,000 people dead. He is the most significant figure to go before the ICTY since Milosevic.