Bali Prosecutors Challenge Sentences in Australian Gangland Shooting Case
Prosecutors in Bali have officially lodged an appeal against the prison sentences handed to three Australians convicted in a violent shooting case that resulted in one death and serious injury. The appeal, filed on Friday, targets the sentences given to Darcy Francesco Jenson, Mevlut Coskun, and Paea I Middlemore Tupou, with authorities seeking tougher penalties.
Prosecutors Cite Lack of Justice for Victims
Badung prosecutor spokesperson Gde Ancana stated that the decision to appeal was influenced by multiple factors, including the voices of the victims' families. He emphasized that the current sentences do not fulfill the sense of justice in society, particularly for the two victims: Zivan Radmanovic, who was shot dead, and Sanar Ghanim, who sustained serious injuries.
'The public prosecutor considers that the decision has not yet fulfilled the sense of justice in society, especially for the two victims,' Mr. Ancana declared. The attack, which the defendants claimed was over a debt owed to a gangland figure, occurred on June 14, 2025, when the men broke into a villa in Munggu, Bali.
Legal Grounds for the Appeal
Mr. Ancana further explained that the appeal also stems from the judge's decision to drop charges under the Emergency Law. Specifically, in Jenson's case, the panel of judges did not consider the third charge of facilitating Coskun and Tupou in possessing and using firearms, as outlined in Article 1 paragraph (1) of Emergency Law No. 12 of 1951.
The case will now proceed to the Bali High Court, where the three Australians could face increased sentences. Initially, Coskun and Tupou, who carried out the attack, were each sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Jenson received a 12-year term for organizing the logistics of the trip, including accommodation and vehicle rentals.
Details of the Violent Incident
Prosecutors revealed that Ghanim was shot six times, and Radmanovic was beaten with a sledgehammer before being fatally shot. Both victims had connections to Melbourne's underworld. The men stated they were hired to collect a debt from Ghanim but mistakenly killed Radmanovic in the confusion. They refused to identify the Australian man who hired them.
Presiding judge Wayan Suarta ruled that Coskun, Tupou, and Jenson were 'legally and convincingly' guilty of premeditated murder, noting the crime was well-planned and motivated by financial gain. The defendants were arrested days after the shooting as they attempted to flee the country.
Victims' Families Express Outrage
Radmanovic's widow, Jazmyn Gourdeas, along with her family, attended the sentencing in Bali, which was delayed by a week without prior notification. Outside the court, her mother, Renata Deegan, furiously criticized the sentences, calling them 'a joke' and alleging the group was allowed to 'walk away.'
Ms. Gourdeas expressed frustration over the lack of support, stating, 'Every trip we have come here, we have funded ourselves. Your government hasn't helped. Our government hasn't helped. Nobody has helped us.' Her 13-year-old son was asked to leave the courtroom before the sentences were read, seen lingering nearby dressed in black.
Sentencing Details and Future Proceedings
Coskun, 22, and Tupou, 27, were tried together, while Jenson, 27, had a separate trial. The 16-year sentences for Coskun and Tupou were lighter than the prosecution's request of 17 to 18 years, with the death penalty as a worst-case scenario. They also faced firearm offences.
The Denpasar District Court noted the defendants' cooperation, youth, and potential for rehabilitation, but the appeal underscores the prosecution's belief that justice has not been adequately served. As the case moves to the higher court, the focus remains on delivering harsher punishments for the horrific crime.
