The Hague  - Fewer charges are to be brought against former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, according to the amended indictment released Tuesday by the prosecution at the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia.

The Hague-based court reduced the number of municipalities where Karadzic was allegedly responsible for war crimes from 41 to 27 - a move expected to speed up the trial. However, the court has yet to approve the altered indictment.

Karadzic faces charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. He was arrested in Serbia in July after being on the run for more than 12 years.

Karadzic, who is defending himself, has appeared before the court in pre-trial hearings. The trial proper is expected to start in several months. (dpa)