Karadzic sentenced to life in prison, the initial sentence was increased: Final verdict for the first president of Republika Srpska (VIDEO) (PHOTO)

The Appeals Chamber of the Hague Tribunal today Sentenced Radovan Karadzic, the first president of Republika Srpska (RS) for life, for genocide in Srebrenica and crimes against humanity, violations of the laws and customs of war. This decision reversed the first-instance verdict of the Tribunal in The Hague, which first sentenced him to 40 years in prison. The trial began at 14h, but it was broadcast with 30 minutes delay.

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THE MOMENT WHEN KARADZIC HEARD THAT HE WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE 

When he was sentenced, the camera zoomed in to the face of Radovan Karadzic.

He was motionless in the first moment, and then he briefly looked at the floor, he turned his head to the right, and his heart was in his mouth, then he continued listening to the words of the judge.

FIRST REACTIONS OF THE REGION TO THE VERDICT 

When Karadzic was sentenced to life imprisonment, the titles followed: "Prison for life for the criminal!, the news by Avaz.ba, "Thunderous flash in the courtroom: Karadzic sentenced for life" reports 24sata.hr, while some others were more moderate with titles, so they simply said "Karadzic found guilty for the genocide and the crimes against humanity", and "Radovan Karadzic sentenced to life in prison", or, "Guilty of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity: That was unprecedented brutality".

KARADZIC WAS MOTIONLESS IN THE MOMENT WHEN THE SENTENCE WAS READ 

HE WAS SENTENCED BY COUNCIL OF FIVE MEMBERS 

With the Chancellor of the Appeals Chamber, Danish Judge Jonsen, the panel consisted of judges - William Szekula of Tanzania, Jose Solas from Spain, Graciela Santana of Uruguay and Ivo Rosa from Portugal.

Thunderous applause and whistles were heard in the courtroom when he was sentenced.

Karadzic is guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity, and breaking the law and customs of war.

KARADZIC'S APPEAL DENIED 

Karadzic's appeal against the length of the sentence was dismissed. The Chamber stated that 40 years had been inadequate. Especially when it comes to other judgments in The Hague. The Chamber considers that a 40-year sentence is inadequate when its sentence is compared to convicts who received life imprisonment.

The Appeals Chamber also confirmed freeing of charges for genocide in 1992.

PROSECUTION STATEMENT WAS DENIED

The Appeals Chamber, with the exception of Judge Den Prada, argued that the prosecutors did not show that there was a mistake with concluding that Karadzic was not to blame for the genocide in 1992.

The Chamber is not convinced that the Prosecution offered evidence that genocidal intent was proven on the basis of Karadzic's contacts with people on the ground. The remainder of the verdict is confirmed.

THE APPEAL CHAMBER HAS DENIED THE PART OF THE PROSECUTION APPEAL

Speaking about the first complaint, that murders and other violent crimes were part of a joint criminal enterprise to remove Bosniaks and Croats from the territory of the Republika Srpska, Judge Jonsen said that the prosecutors did not prove that the First Instance Panel erred when they cleared Karadzic of the charges.

(Telegraf.co.uk)