Karadzic trial opens without his presence

THE HAGUE - The trial of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, who has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity including genocide, started Monday without the defendant being present.

As announced in his six-page letter Friday, Karadzic refused to attend the trial, arguing that he would be insufficiently prepared.

“I establish that Mr. Karadzic is not present,” presiding judge Kwon O’Gon said at the start of the session, before inviting the prosecution to make its opening statement.