A chilling tale of cross-island pursuit, a violent ambush, and the high stakes of justice in a case that has shocked Bali’s international community.
DENPASAR, Bali — In a case that has captivated and unsettled the island’s foreign resident community, two Australian men face the prospect of 18 years in an Indonesian prison. On Monday, prosecutors formally requested the maximum sentence for Mevlut Coskun, 22, and Paea-i-Middlemore Tupou, 26, whom they found guilty of a meticulously planned murder last June that left one countryman dead and another wounded.
The verdict, delivered at the Denpasar District Court, paints a picture of a grim, premeditated operation far removed from Bali’s image of tranquility. It underscores the severe, unambiguous application of Indonesian law to violent crime, regardless of the perpetrator’s nationality, and sends a stark message about the consequences awaiting those who import conflict to the island’s shores.
A Calculated Ambush in a Badung Villa
The crime unfolded on the evening of Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Casa Santisya 1 villa in Munggu, Badung. According to the prosecution’s narrative, the attack was the culmination of a plan hatched days earlier, allegedly masterminded by a third Australian, Darcy Francesco Jenson, who is being tried separately.
Prosecutors detailed how Coskun and Tupou traveled from Jakarta to Bali via Surabaya. Once on the island, armed with a 9mm firearm and a long hammer provided by Jenson, they proceeded to the villa. Tupou allegedly used the hammer to breach the gate before both men opened fire on the occupants inside. “The defendant Mevlut shot several times at victim Sanar Ghanim, while defendant Paea shot at victim Zivan Radmanovic,” the prosecuting attorney stated.
Zivan Radmanovic did not survive the attack. Sanar Ghanim was injured but survived. Following the shooting, the trio fled back to Jakarta with Jenson’s assistance, with plans to eventually fly to Cambodia via Singapore—a flight that was never boarded due to their subsequent apprehension.
The Weight of the Law and the Question of Motive
In court, prosecutors emphasized the aggravating factors: the loss of life, the infliction of injury, and the profound disturbance of peace and security in Bali. Mitigating factors included the defendants’ admission of guilt and expression of remorse during the trial.
While the mechanics of the crime are now a matter of record, a central mystery persists: the motive. The prosecution’s case, as presented, has not publicly revealed what precipitated the targeted violence. Intriguingly, the defendants have referred to a shadowy figure known only as “Mr. X” as the true mastermind, but have declined to reveal this person’s identity, adding a layer of unresolved intrigue to the proceedings.
Upon hearing the 18-year sentencing demand, both defendants remained silent and bowed their heads. Coskun later addressed the panel of judges through an interpreter, stating, “We have conveyed the truth as honestly as possible in this trial. I ask Your Honors to re-examine the evidence and deliver the fairest possible sentence.” Their formal defense will be presented at the next hearing on February 9.
A Sobering Reminder for the International Community
For Bali’s large community of expatriates and long-term visitors, the case is a sobering anomaly, a violent rupture in the fabric of daily life. The extensive evidence presented—including 3 projectiles, 19 bullet casings, 62 projectile fragments, and the 85-centimeter hammer—speaks to the thoroughness of the local investigation.
The severe sentencing demand aligns with Indonesia’s strict penalties for premeditated murder under its revised Criminal Code. It serves as a potent reminder that the island’s renowned hospitality is balanced by an unwavering judicial system. As Bali continues to navigate its identity as a global hub, this trial reaffirms a foundational principle: the pursuit of safety and order is paramount, and violent acts carry profound and lasting consequences, meticulously adjudicated within the full force of local law.
