Bali Court Postpones Sentencing for Accused Melbourne Hitmen
Two of three Australians accused of orchestrating and executing a brutal hit on a Melbourne father-of-six will have to endure an agonising wait to learn their fates. Mevlut Coskun and Paea I Middlemore Tupou attended a Balinese court on Monday, fully prepared for their sentencing hearing. However, in a last-minute twist, the pair were turned away after judges announced the proceeding was postponed until the following week.
Judges Cite Need for Further Deliberation
Presiding judge Wayan Suarta informed the courtroom that the sentencing could not proceed as scheduled. "The sentencing could not be done today because there are several things that should be discussed by judges," he stated, offering little consolation to the grieving family present. The delay has sparked significant frustration and emotional turmoil among the relatives of the victims, who had travelled internationally to witness the outcome.
Details of the Alleged Underworld Attack
Coskun and Tupou stand accused of killing Zivan Radmanovic and injuring Sanar Ghanim on June 14, 2025. Prosecutors allege that Ghanim was shot six times during the violent incident, while Radmanovic was beaten with a sledgehammer before being fatally shot. Both victims have confirmed links to Melbourne's notorious underworld, suggesting the attack was premeditated and targeted.
The tragic events unfolded at a villa in the Munggu area, where Radmanovic's wife, Jazmyn Gourdeas, was celebrating her 30th birthday with her husband and their friends. Coskun and Tupou allegedly used a sledgehammer to break into the villa under cover of darkness, launching their assault on Ghanim and Radmanovic. The accused have claimed they were hired by an Australian man to collect a so-called 'debt', though this remains unverified.
Family Outrage Over Court Delay
Radmanovic's widow, Jazmyn Gourdeas, attended the trial alongside her lawyer, relatives, and her sister Daniela Guordeas, who is Sanar Ghanim's partner. Upon hearing the sentencing was delayed, the group could be heard expressing their disbelief and anger. "No way, that bull***t. Couldn't they have said this earlier, before everyone flew over here?" one exclaimed, capturing the collective sense of betrayal.
Gourdeas' lawyer articulated the family's profound disappointment to reporters. "This is a huge disappointment because the family has come here, expecting today is when the decision is supposed to be made," he said. "They're expected - as in any legal system - to inform prior. The court should have known that they were coming here today."
He emphasised the logistical and emotional strain on the family, noting, "This is an entire family flying and as far as they're concerned, the delay in court today is already a huge distress for the family. They're not taking consideration of the victim's family." The lawyer confirmed the families were deeply "upset" by the unexpected outcome.
Financial and Emotional Burden on Victims' Relatives
Jazmyn Gourdeas voiced her concerns about the financial implications of the delay, suggesting the Indonesian Government should cover the costs of the family's return for the rescheduled sentencing. "Every trip we have come here, we have funded ourselves," she lamented. "Your government hasn't helped. Our government hasn't helped. Nobody has helped us."
She poignantly questioned the practicality of the situation, asking, "To be told today it has been adjourned without being notified prior - now what? What do we do? Go home and not be able to afford to come back next week? Or wait in Bali and lose more money?" Her words highlight the secondary victimisation often experienced by families in complex international legal cases.
Third Accused Faces Separate Proceedings
Darcy Francesco Jenson, accused of organising the logistics for the alleged attack, including accommodation, car hires, and scooter rentals in the months leading up to the incident, is facing a separate trial. His involvement underscores the planned nature of the operation, adding another layer to this sordid tale of underworld violence.
Coskun and Tupou were filmed entering the courtroom on Monday, their expressions inscrutable as they faced the delay. Sentencing is now set to resume next Monday, on March 9, leaving all parties in a state of suspended anticipation. The legal and emotional ramifications of this case continue to unfold, casting a long shadow over the victims' loved ones and the broader community.
