Wartime Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic begins his defence of war crimes at the Hague. 

 

Victims groups are demanding justice for atrocities of war that claimed an estimated 100,000 lives.

 

[Melina Hadziselimovic, Mothers of Srebrenica]:

"We are here today to tell the whole world that victims are still alive and waiting for the truth and for justice and that we, the victims of genocide, are looking for justice."

 

Karadzic is accused of 11 war crimes including two for genocide during the Bosnian war in the early 1990's.

 

He originally boycotted the trial, but is now representing himself. He remains steadfast in his defense of Serbs during the war.

 

Karadzic is accused of overseeing the 43-month siege of Sarajevo.

 

Ten thousand people died in the onslaught, including scores shot dead by snipers.

 

Prosecuters describe the former psychiatrist as the principal architect of one of humanity's darkest chapters. 

 

Karadzic stepped down from power in 1996 and went into hiding until he was found bearded and disguised as an alternative healer in Belgrade. 

 

Karadzic has two days to complete his opening statement and then prosecutors will begin their case against him.