Andabak Only Performed a Coordinating Role in the Croatian Defense Council, Defense Expert Says

Zdenko Andabak, the former assistant chief of the military police administration for the North-western Herzegovina Operational Zone of the Croatian Defense Council, has been charged with mounting an attack on the village of Grborezi on July 21, 1993. Members of the Second Light Assault Battalion of the Croatian Defense Council’s military police killed one civilian and wounded another person.

According to the charges, members of the Light Assault Battalion then wounded another civilian, whom Andabak killed.

Testifying at today’s hearing, Cvitkovic said orders to military police units could only be issued by the head of the administration of the Croatian Defense Council’s police administration or unit commanders in the field.

Cvitkovic said Andabak’s role would have relegated to him strictly conveying orders in a “coordinating role.”

“The commander issued his own orders, while his assistants acted as his extensions, making it easier for him to take care of the situation. Also, the role of the assistant was to take care of the needs of units in the field and to convey information to the commander. Ultimately, he could also supervise in an inspection role,” Cvitkovic said.

Cvitkovic commented on the disarmament of Bosniak members of the Croatian Defense Council in the municipality of Livno on June 21, 1993. Cvitkovic said the operation was conducted “in a civilized manner and in accordance with the rules.”

“According to reports, soldiers entered the villages in a relaxed and non-military manner, because they didn’t expect resistance. An incident occurred in front of a house in the village of Grborez. Zdenko Andabak was some sort of a coordinator in that operation. He acted like UNPROFOR, if I may put it that way. He just went there and read a previously prepared speech via megaphone from his car,” Cvitkovic said.

When Cvitkovic began describing the events in Grborez on the basis of witness testimony, the trial chamber interrupted him, and said he couldn’t base his findings on witness statements.

At the end of his testimony Cvitkovic described Andabak as “a top-quality officer.”

“The military police had few such officers. As far as I know, he has never made any omissions,” Cvitkovic said.

The trial will continue on January 13, when Cvitkovic will respond to cross-examination questions.