Indonesian police ask AFP for help after Melbourne underworld figure Sanar Ghanim and Zivan Radmanovic were killed in Bali
Indonesian police are taking new steps to investigate three Australians who may face the firing squad over a targeted execution in Bali that involved a Melbourne underworld figure.
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Indonesian police are making inquiries with the Australian Federal Police to check the backgrounds of three Australians who may face the firing squad over a targeted hit in Bali.
Investigations are continuing into what led to gunmen raiding a luxury villa in Munggu on June 14 when it is alleged two assailants allegedly opened fire on Melbourne underworld figure Sanar Ghanim, 34 and shot dead another man, Zivan Radmanovic, 32.
The arrested Australians – Paea I Middlemore Tupou, 26, Mevlut Coskun, 23, and Darcy Francesco Jenson, 27 – remain in detention while police seek to understand the motive behind the targeted crime.
Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya this week said there had been no admissions by the trio under arrest surrounding the raid at the villa.
“We are currently still conduct(ing) investigation regarding the motive,” Chief Inspector Adityajaya said.
“We are communicate (sic) with the AFP in relation to their background.”
Last week police revealed they had found a discarded gun in a river in Tabanan, not far from the crime scene.
Police say DNA samples taken from the suspects will be tested against alleged crime scene evidence.
“The firearm that was found earlier, which we suspect may have been used by the perpetrator, it is currently being examined at the forensic lab to determine whether it was indeed the weapon used in the act,” Chief Inspector Adityajaya said.
“Later, it will be compared with the (alleged) perpetrators’ DNA and the bullet casings found at the crime scene.
“This process will help the investigators confirm whether the firearm is indeed the one used by the perpetrator.”
The AFP would not comment on whether it was providing the Indonesian authorities with backgrounds of the suspects.
“As this investigation is being undertaken by the Indonesian National Police, inquiries should be directed to them,” a statement said.
News Corp has been told the violent raid has links to a drug rip-off in Australia estimated to have involved millions of dollars.
Bali police also say they are not currently looking for a fourth suspect although have not ruled out the prospect of making more arrests.
Last week Middlemore, Coskun and Jenson were paraded before the media wearing shackles, hoods and prison-issue orange T-shirts.
Sisters Daniella and Jazmyn Gourdeas, a mother of six, were also in the rented luxury villa when two gunmen wearing masks and helmets smashed their way into the villa.
The two couples were about to celebrate Jazmyn’s 30th birthday on the holiday island.
Jazmyn told police she hid in a bedroom under covers as her partner, Radmanovic, was shot dead.
Ghanim, who fathered a child with Danielle Stephens, the daughter of Roberta Williams, and the Gourdeas sisters are believed to have returned to Australia.
The body of Radmanovic has been repatriated to Australia.
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Originally published as Indonesian police ask AFP for help after Melbourne underworld figure Sanar Ghanim and Zivan Radmanovic were killed in Bali
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