The former leader of Croatia's ethnic Serbs has refused to enter a plea during his first appearance at the United Nations war crimes tribunal in the Hague.

Goran Hadzic faces 14 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his involvement in the Balkans' conflict of the early 1990s.

The 52-year-old was arrested last week and extradited to The Hague after seven years on the run. He was the last fugitive of the 161 people indicted by the U.N. Yugoslav war crimes tribunal.

Chief war crimes prosecutor Serge Brammertz says Hadzic will be called upon to “answer for the deaths of hundreds and the displacement of thousands.”

Hadzic's attorney said his client would defer a plea. He has 30 days to decide how he will answer to the charges, and not-guilty pleas will be entered on his behalf if he still refuses.