VOA标准英语2008年-Radovan Karadzic Has First Court Session, Enter

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic made his first appearance before the international tribunal in The Hague which is to try him on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to his role in the Bosnian war of the 1990s. Karadzic informed the court that he plans to defend himself and wants more time to study the indictment¹ against him before entering a plea. Sonja Pace has this report from London.

It was a first procedural court appearance. Presiding Judge Alphons Orie asked Karadzic to identify himself and read a summary of the charges against him.

"Mr. Karadzic, you are charged with one count of genocide under Article 4 of the Statute² of the International Tribunal, with one count of complicity in genocide …. with five counts of crimes against humanity under Article 5 of the Statute, with four counts of war crimes under Articles 2 and 3 of the Statute," she said.

Sitting in the dock, Karadzic informed the court that he would defend himself "as he would against any natural catastrophe³."

He told the court he was still studying the indictment and opted⁴ to delay entering a formal plea.

The man in court looked much as he had when last seen in public over a decade ago, somewhat thinner, older, but clean shaven and still sporting his trademark⁵ silver hair. He stands accused of involvement in the deaths of thousands of civilians⁶ during the Bosnian war of the 1990s.

Karadzic disappeared and was on the run for nearly 13 years, disguised as it turned out with a bushy beard, long hair and spectacles and working and living in Belgrade, where his arrest was announced last week.

Karadzic told the court he was kidnapped in Belgrade and held for three days without access to a telephone or any communication. He also said he fears for his safety even now.

Karadzic has 30 days to enter a formal plea and Judge Orie scheduled the next court session for August 29.

 

 

1 indictment   

n.起诉；诉状

参考例句：

• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。
• They issued an indictment against them.他们起诉了他们。

2 statute   

n.成文法，法令，法规；章程，规则，条例

参考例句：

• Protection for the consumer is laid down by statute.保障消费者利益已在法令里作了规定。
• The next section will consider this environmental statute in detail.下一部分将详细论述环境法令的问题。

3 catastrophe   

n.大灾难，大祸

参考例句：

• I owe it to you that I survived the catastrophe.亏得你我才大难不死。
• This is a catastrophe beyond human control.这是一场人类无法控制的灾难。

4 opted   

v.选择，挑选( opt的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She was co-opted onto the board. 她获增选为董事会成员。
• After graduating she opted for a career in music. 毕业后她选择了从事音乐工作。

5 trademark   

n.商标；特征；vt.注册的…商标

参考例句：

• The trademark is registered on the book of the Patent Office.该商标已在专利局登记注册。
• The trademark of the pen was changed.这钢笔的商标改了。

6 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。