Karadzic on his way to The Hague

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Karadzic on his way to The Hague

Mr Karadzic changed his appearance during his 11 years on the run

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic is being transferred from the Serbian capital Belgrade to the war-crimes tribunal in The Hague.

Mr Karadzic was moved in a convoy from the court building where he had been held since his arrest nine days ago.

Mr Karadzic had spent 13 years as a fugitive. He faces charges relating to the Bosnian conflict of the 1990s.

His transfer comes hours after a rally attended by at least 10,000 supporters to protest at his arrest.

Clashes broke out between police and small groups of protesters during the final speeches at the rally organised by the nationalist Radical Party.

Several people were injured as riot police fired tear gas at protesters armed with rocks and burning flares.

Charges

Four cars with tinted windows left the court building at about 0345 (0145 GMT), with Mr Karadzic inside one of the vehicles.

He was arrested on 21 July in Belgrade. He had changed his appearance, having grown a long beard and ponytail and was working as an alternative therapist.

Mr Karadzic led the formation of a separate Bosnian Serb assembly in 1991 - one of the sparks that ignited the 1992-1995 Bosnian war.

He has been indicted for crimes against humanity and genocide over the massacre of up to 8,000 mainly-Muslim Bosniaks at Srebrenica in 1995.

He has also been charged over the shelling of Sarajevo, and the use of 284 UN peacekeepers as human shields in May and June 1995.

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BBC NEWS