Witness Describes Andabak at Grborezi Disarmament

Andabak, a former member of the Croatian Defence Council, has been charged with leading an attack on the village of Grborezi on July 21, 1993. During this attack, one person was killed and another was wounded by gunshots fired in his presence.

According to the indictment, Croatian Defense Council soldiers then wounded one more person – this person was allegedly shot and killed by Andabak.

Ljuban Karadza, a former member of the military police, testified at today’s hearing.

“Zdenko Andabak was the commander…I still consider him my commander,” Karadza.

Karadza said relations between Croats and Bosniaks in Livno were good until the summer of 1993, when tensions began to rise.

According to Karadza, he and others received an order to go to Livno in July 1993, in order to disarm the Bosniak members of the Croatian Defense Council.

“An official vehicle was in front of us. Mr. Andabak was calling on people to surrender their weapons via a megaphone,” said Karadza. Karadza said the disarmament campaign included the villages of Gruber, Komoran and Grborezi.

Karadza said they were exiting the village of Grborezi when he heard bursts of gunfire that lasted up to a minute. He said Andabak was in the middle of the village, but he couldn’t see him. Karadza said he passed by Andabak ten minutes prior to the shooting.

In response to questions by the defense, Karadza said he saw Andabak as a peacemaker that day. He said Andabak told him and others to abide by the customs of war and take care of themselves and others.

In response to questions as to whether Andabak ever mistreated or threatened anyone from July 20 to July 22, 1993, Karadza said that he didn’t know. He said Andabak was a soldier in the truest sense of the word.

The trial will continue on June 17.