Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Karadzic: Poet Turned Monster

'Butcher of Bosnia' saw himself as an intellectual and guardian of his people

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2008 7:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – Serbian strongman Radovan Karadzic viewed himself as a high-minded intellectual but his hardline nationalism drove him to become responsible for Europe's most bestial atrocities since the Nazis, writes the Times of London. The former Bosnian leader, now captured after 12 years on the run, was a poet and author and worked as a psychiatrist for years before entering politics.

Karadzic declared himself the leader of Bosnia as Yugoslavia collapsed, triggering a bloody war in which he attempted to "ethnically cleanse" the country of Muslims with a brutal campaign of killing and rape. Atrocities like the slaughter of at least 6,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebenica made him Europe's most wanted man after the war. He remained a folk hero to many Serbs and was protected by 80 fiercely loyal guards during his years on the run.

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

In this May 1994 file photo, Bosnian Serb Stojan Zupljanin, left, and Radovan Karadzic speak in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. (AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)

This is June 1995 file photo of Bosnian Serb Leader Radovan Karadzic as he talks to reporters in Pale, Bosnia. F (AP Photo)

Police guard the entrance to the special court in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, July 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

In this Sept. 23, 1992 file photo, Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic holds a knife he said was seized from Croat soldiers in Bosnia during a news conference in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. (AP Photo/File)

In this Aug. 10, 1993 file photo, Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic waves as he leaves a meeting with U.N. mediators in Geneva. (AP Photo/Rainer Klostermeier, File)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Radovan Karadzic Arrested!:Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic, one of the world's most wanted men, has been arrested in Serbia after more than a decade on the run. (Moris88)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Fugitive War Criminal May Be Living Freely

Bosnian TV purports to show Ratko Mladic at wedding, out with family

(NEWSER) - Bosnian television has aired what it calls footage of Ratko Mladic, the notorious Serbian war criminal on the lam since 1995, including a video it says was filmed last winter, reports the BBC. The footage, whose veracity has been disputed, seems to show Mladic living peacefully in a Belgrade suburb, and one shot shows him with current army officers. He is wanted by a Hague tribunal for 15 counts of genocide and crimes against humanity in connection with the Bosnian civil war. More»

Hunt Shifts to Butcher 'Serb God'

With Karadzic behind bars, focus is on genocidal partner

(NEWSER) - Former Bosnian leader Radovan Karadzic is finally behind bars, but his alleged partner in genocide, Gen. Ratko Mladic, remains at large. Mladic is an even more ruthless figure who until a few years ago brazenly appeared in downtown Belgrade, attending soccer games and eating at gourmet restaurants, despite a $5 million reward for his capture, AP reports. More»

Karadzic to Appear at Genocide Trial, Seeks Delay

Prosecutor: Serb's only regret was that some survived Srebrenica

(NEWSER) - Radovan Karadzic will show his face at his war crimes trial for the first time since it began last week—but only to request more time to prepare his defense in the 1995 indictment, Reuters reports. A hearing today will address how to proceed if the former Bosnian Serb leader, who is defending himself against charges including genocide, resumes his boycott. More»

Karadzic Caught Discussing Genocide on Wiretap

Prosecutors reveal tape as Bosnian leader's trial goes on without him

(NEWSER) - Radovan Karadzic was caught on tape ordering the slaughter at Zepa and Srebenica, prosecutors revealed today at the war crimes trial of the former Bosnian Serb leader. “It will be a black cauldron,” Karadzic says on the tape, “where 300,000 Muslims will die.” But prosecutor Alan Tieger was forced to make his accusations before several rows of empty desks, because Karadzic and his defense team made good on their promise to boycott the trial. More»

Karadzic Refuses to Leave Cell for Trial

Proceedings halted as alleged war criminal boycotts

(NEWSER) - The long-awaited trial of Radovan Karadzic was halted just 15 minutes after opening because the former Bosnian Serb leader refused to leave his cell and attend the proceedings. Although prosecutors in The Hague asked the judges to continue in his absence, the presiding magistrate suspended the proceedings until tomorrow. The judges added that they may appoint a lawyer for Karadzic, who is representing himself, if he continues to no-show the trial. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Karadzic: Poet Turned Monster