Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb leader, finally graced the UN war crimes court with his presence yesterday but used his first appearance to mock the judges and play for more time.

Dr Karadzic boycotted the first three days of his trial on 11 war crimes charges and came yesterday only to demand another nine months to prepare his defence, arguing that no imposed counsel could get ready any quicker than that.

The defendant, 64 — a psychiatrist who hoodwinked many with his disguise on the run as a New Age healer and who prides himself as a master of mind games — remained seated throughout the hearing in defiance of normal procedure requiring the person speaking to stand.

Gone was the wraithlike shadow of the Bosnian Serb leader first seen in the dock in The Hague after his capture 15 months ago. The self-confident figure who finally turned up to hector his genocide trial was unmistakably the Supreme Commander, convinced of his “fundamental rights” to a fair trial and determined to hold the UN process up to ridicule.During the past 15 months in the “Hague Hilton”, the detention centre for those accused of the worst atrocities in Europe since the Second World War, Dr Karadzic has put on weight, refashioned his trademark quiff and acquired a dapper suit.

He also seems to have regained the rhetorical powers that once whipped up a nation to turn on itself in war. “The situation is such that I would be a criminal if I was to accept these proceedings, to enter a trial for which I am not prepared,” Dr Karadzic said, representing himself, a lone figure on his side of the courtroom facing four judges and six prosecutors.

“I have given up my walks in the fresh air and sports, working day and night to prepare for this,” he said. “I don’t want to boycott these proceedings but I cannot take part in something that has been bad from the start and where my fundamental rights have been violated.”

The first witness was due to start testifying today but the judges will now give a written judgment this week on how to proceed. They have heard suggestions from the prosecution which include imposing a lawyer on Dr Karadzic or simply dragging him to the courtroom.

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