ZAGREB, Sept 15 (Hina) - Rijeka County Court investigating judge Valentin Ivanetic on Friday ruled that a Croat Defence Council (HVO) general, Ivan Andabak, arrested under suspicion of organising the smuggling of more than 600 kg of
cocaine, remain in custody for 30 days.
ZAGREB, Sept 15 (Hina) - Rijeka County Court investigating judge
Valentin Ivanetic on Friday ruled that a Croat Defence Council
(HVO) general, Ivan Andabak, arrested under suspicion of
organising the smuggling of more than 600 kg of cocaine, remain in
custody for 30 days. #L#
Andabak, who is currently at a Zagreb prison infirmary, today
refused any contact with the Rijeka investigating judge who came to
the hospital to question him.
Upon leaving the prison infirmary, Ivanetic told reporters the
court had ruled that Andabak's detention be extended at the
proposal of the County State Prosecutor's Office because of the
possibility he might influence witnesses and the extremely
aggravating circumstances in which the criminal act he was charged
with had been committed.
Andabak was arrested in the area of Karlovac on Tuesday. Following
his apprehension, he was taken before the Rijeka investigating
judge but had to be transferred to the Zagreb prison infirmary due
to a sudden deterioration of his condition.
Speaking about Andabak's condition, Ivanetic said the staff at the
prison infirmary had told him Andabak's condition was improving and
his blood sugar was lower. A decision on launching an investigation
has still not been made, but it will be made soon, the judge said.
Andabak's court-appointed attorney Alen Boskovic said he had
talked to his client and assessed his condition as very serious.
Boskovic said he would appeal against the decision on detention.
Asked about the fact that Andabak refused any contact with the
judge, Boskovic said that "in terms of law, it is a very interesting
situation," but declined to comment on details.
(hina) jn rml