Karadzic trial will be efficient, says ICTY prosecutor (Extra)

Jul 30, 2008, 11:36 GMT

The Hague - Chief Prosecutor of the International Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Serge Brammertz said Wednesday his team would do its utmost to ensure the trial of Bosnian-Serb leader Radovan Karadzic would be efficient and quick.

'Prosecution will file a number of motions to the court, requesting that existing evidence and witness statements be accepted, so that certain facts do not need to be proven again during the trial,' he told a news conference at the ICTY in The Hague.

The chief prosecutor added the existing indictment against Karadzic, last updated in 2000, was already under review by the prosecution.

'We will adjust the indictment so that it includes ICTY case law developed in the past eight years,' he said.

Brammertz praised the Serbian civil authorities for their 'excellent cooperation' with the ICTY in the past months.

'The arrest of Radovan Karadzic is immensely important for the victims who had to wait so long for this day,' he said.

'It is also important for international justice because it clearly demonstrates that their is no alternative to the arrest of war criminals and that there can be no safe haven for fugitives,' Brammertz added.

Karadzic's first appearance as specified under court regulations is set for 4 pm (1400 GMT) Thursday.

During that session, Karadzic will formally be charged. He is accused of genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the Bosnian war from 1992 to 1995.

Under court regulations Karadzic has 30 days to enter a guilty or not guilty plea.