The Bosnian Serb leader, Radovan Karadzic, who has been in charged with multiple counts of crimes against humanity and genocide has finally been given a lawyer by the U.N. war crimes tribunal. Karadzic had opted to defend his case on his own, stating that, no lawyer can ever understand what exactly went inside Bosnia, during 1991 to 1995. The tribunal has declared that, the appointed defense counsel will take over the case whenever Radovan boycotts the trial. Keeping the mind the fresh appointment of the defense lawyer, the U.N war crimes tribunal has postponed the trial hearing till March, 2010.

Radovan Karadzic is believed to be the brains behind the mass slaughter of over 7,000 Muslims, during the Bosnian War, that is considered to be one of the bloodiest and most gruesome conflicts after the second world war. The decision to appoint the new defense lawyer still provides leverage to Karadzic, as he can defend himself even with a court appointed defense counsel by his side.

According to the U.N War Crimes Tribunal presiding judge, O-Gon Kwon,

“Should Karadzic continue to absent himself from the resumed trial proceedings in March, or should he engage in any other conduct that obstructs the proper and expeditious conduct of the trial, he will forfeit his right to self-representation … and the appointed counsel will take over. Karadzic cannot reasonably claim to require many more months to prepare for trial when his preparation includes matters that are not, and will not be, the subject of the trial. He has substantially and persistently obstructed the proper and expeditious conduct of his trial by refusing to attend the proceedings until such time as he considers himself to be ready.”

Radovan Karadzic had told the court that, he hadn’t been given enough time to prepare for the case and due to the load of the paperwork, he would require more time to prepare thoroughly for the proceedings. He is currently under custody and has been given time to prepare for his defense.

Via Associated Press.