The start of Ratko Mladic's trial has been postponed by two days, until May 16, the Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) announced Tuesday.

The trial had originally been due to start on May 14, reported AFP, noting that the judges gave no details for the postponement.

The prosecutor's opening statement will start on May 16, while Mladic's defense team has said they will not be giving an opening statement at this stage in the proceedings, and the defendant would not address the court.

The prosecution plans to call 413 witness, including two experts, it was heard at Tuesday's pretrial conference.

It is expected to start questioning witnesses and presenting evidence on May 29.

Mladic is charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and violation of the laws and customs of war committed during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995.

He was arrested in Serbia on May 26, 2011, and extradited to the ICTY on May 31.