UN tribunal rejects Karadzic's bid to fire lawyer

updated 9:33 a.m. ET Dec. 24, 2009

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal has rejected Radovan Karadzic's attempt to fire his court-appointed lawyer.

The U.N. court appointed British attorney Richard Harvey in November to defend Karadzic if the former Bosnian Serb leader continues to boycott his trial when it resumes in March.

Karadzic is conducting his own defense. He refused to attend the start of his genocide trial in October, arguing he has not had enough time to prepare.

In a decision released Thursday, the tribunal rejected Karadzic's argument that he should have been allowed to choose a lawyer who shared his language and Serb heritage.

Karadzic insists he is innocent of 11 charges alleging he masterminded Serb atrocities throughout Bosnia's 1992-95 war.

MORE FROM EUROPE

Europe Section Front

Jet slides off icy U.K. runway Venice flooding adds to Italy weather woes Court: Runaway sailor can stay with dad Vatican defends move to beatify wartime pope Could Ireland’s budget cuts be a model for U.S.? U.K. music fans celebrate ‘anarchy Christmas miracle’ Foreigner blamed for Auschwitz sign theft Romanians mark 20 years after communism Vatican paper says ‘Simpsons’ are okely dokely Spain’s lottery makes winners of thousands Europe Section Front   Add Europe headlines to your news reader: