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Australian Pair Escape Death Sentence in Shocking Bali Villa Murder Case of Melbourne Father

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Two Australian men will each spend more than a decade in a Bali prison after they were found guilty of the gangland-style murder of a Melbourne father in June last year.

In an incident that has drawn significant attention, Zivan Radmanovic, aged 32, tragically lost his life in a violent shooting while vacationing in a lavish villa. The event occurred on June 14 and involved his partner, sister-in-law, and her partner, Sanar Ghanim, who were also present at the time.

Today, in a Denpasar courtroom, two Australian nationals, Paea I Middlemore Tupou and Mevlut Coskun, faced justice as they were convicted of premeditated murder, attempted premeditated murder, and the illegal possession and use of firearms. Their involvement in the crime has resulted in both men receiving a prison sentence of 16 years, which they will serve in the notorious Korobokan prison.

A Denpasar court today found Australian men Paea I Middlemore Tupou and Mevlut Coskun guilty of premeditated murder, attempted premeditated murder, and illegal possession and use of firearms.
A Denpasar court today found Australian men Paea I Middlemore Tupou and Mevlut Coskun guilty of premeditated murder, attempted premeditated murder, and illegal possession and use of firearms. (Nine)

Under Indonesian law, the crime of premeditated murder is treated with utmost severity, carrying the possibility of the death penalty. However, in this case, the court opted for a lengthy imprisonment instead.

Meanwhile, another individual implicated in the crime, Sydney plumber Darcy Jenson, is still awaiting the outcome of his trial, with his verdict and sentence yet to be determined.

Their co-accused, Sydney plumber Darcy Jenson, is still waiting on his verdict and possible sentence.

The trial heard the gunmen were sent to Bali to threaten Ghanim over a debt after being offered money by an Australian man they’ve refused to identify.

Police allege Jenson organised the hit and Coskun and Tupou carried out the shooting, breaking into the villa with a sledgehammer in the early hours of June 14.

Tupou has admitted to shooting Radmanovic, but claims he thought he was his friend, Sanar Ghanim – the ex-partner of gangland figure Carl Williams’ stepdaughter.

Coskun testified he shot Ghanim, who survived his injuries.

The tropical paradise was shattered by gunfire on Saturday, killing 32-year-old Zivan Radmanovic in a hail of bullets. (9News)

They claim they never meant to kill anyone, while Jenson says he only learnt of the crime after he was arrested.

Police claim the pair escaped on motorbikes before getting into a car with Jenson, and dumping the guns in a river.

The trio were arrested and charged after an international manhunt.

Co-accused, Sydney plumber Darcy Jenson (left) is still waiting on his verdict and possible sentence.
Co-accused, Sydney plumber Darcy Jenson (left) is still waiting on his verdict and possible sentence. (Nine)

Radmanovic’s widow, Jazmyn Gourdeas, who hid under bed sheets during the shooting, was flanked by the pair’s 13-year-old son as she watched the sentencing from a Denpasar courtroom.

Outside court, Gourdeas’ laywer, Sary Latief, said her client was disappointed with the sentence.

“They had high hopes for the judges to give higher sentences,” Latief said.

“The victim’s wife is speechless. Really felt like the Indonesian justice system doesn’t really care.”

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