Alleged Bali suspects’ plan to flee Indonesia

The Cambodian escape plot of three Australian men accused of the murder of Zivan Radmanovic in Bali has been revealed as Penny Wong seeks a briefing from the Indonesian authorities.

The Australian Government has asked for talks with Indonesian officials as three Australians could face the firing squad if charged and convicted over a brutal raid and execution in Bali.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong on Thursday said the government was seeking a briefing from the Indonesian authorities with the men at risk of the death penalty if found guilty of the premeditated murder of Zivan Radmanovic.

It came as details emerged of the alleged hit squad’s escape plan with two of the trio making it to Cambodia before being turned away.

Australian nationals Darcy Francesco Jenson, 37, Coskun Melvut, 23 – both suspected of being the gunmen that stormed a luxury Badung villa – and alleged lookout man, Tupou Pasa Midolmore, 37, are under arrest over the brazen execution of Radmanovic on Saturday.

Another man, Melbourne underworld figure Sanar Ghanim, 34, was shot during the early morning raid but escaped with his life.

Zivan Radmanovic with his wife Gourdeas Jazmyn. Zivan is an Australian man who died in Bali after a shooting at a villa.

Sanar Ghanim was also shot but escaped with his life. Picture: Supplied

While some media outlets are reporting the trio have been charged with murder, this masthead has been told it takes months to charge them.

Police, however, have stated charges will be laid of premeditated murder.

Ms Wong said Australia respected Indonesia’s legal processes but its opposition to the death penalty was longstanding.

“In relation to the death penalty more generally, and obviously this matter has a long way to go, but I would just say Australia always opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances and for all people,” she said.

“That is always what we do, in all our diplomacy across the world. When Australians are facing that, that is the consistent position any Australian government advocates.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the government was seeking a briefing from the Indonesian authorities with the men at risk of the death penalty if found guilty of the premeditated murder of Zivan Radmanovic. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Ms Wong’s comments came after Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya told media that the death penalty was applicable in this case.

“They may be charged with article 340 of Criminal Code on premeditated murder that carries a maximum death penalty,” he said.

The last Australians executed by firing squad were “Bali Nine” members Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who were executed in Indonesia in 2015.

According to The Straits Times, Mevlut and Midolmore allegedly left Indonesia via Soekamo Hatta Airport in Jakarta on a flight bound for Cambodia which transited through Singapore, reportedly on June 16.

Coskun Mevlut was arrested at Jakarta Airport. Picture: Supplied

Jenson was arrested as he attempted to board the flight.

Melvut and Midolmore, however, made it through transit in Singapore and then to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where they were denied entry into the country.

The pair was put on a flight back to Indonesia via Singapore.

Once the pair reached Singapore they were briefly detained before being flown back to Indonesia on June 17.

Darcy Francesco Jenson was arrested at Jakarta Airport before being transferred to Bali. Picture: Supplied

Tupou Pasa Midolmore has been taken into custody. Picture: Supplied

The three men remain in police custody in Bali as investigators gather evidence over Radmanovic’s murder.

Radmanovic, 32, had arrived in Bali with his wife Jazmyn Gourdeas, a mother of six, to celebrate her 30th birthday.

Ms Gourdeas hid under covers in a bedroom inside their Badung villa, near the area of Canggu, as two masked men wearing helmets allegedly used a sledgehammer to smash their way into their lodgings.

Photographs show Radmanovic was badly beaten before his murder in a bathroom.

Police say they have recovered 17 bullet casings, 55 projectile fragments, a sledgehammer, masks and jackets as part of their investigation.

Bali Police shows the evidence from the shooting of Australians, including Zivan Radmanovic who was killed. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Cars allegedly used by the suspects to get away after the fatal shooting. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Jenson, Mevlut and Midolmore have not emerged since being taken into police custody.

It is alleged Jenson, a former Sydney plumber, planned the attack.

Bali Police say three men fled the crime scene on scooters before at least one assailant transferred to a car.

Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said it was providing consular assistance to the families of the Australian who died and the Australian who was injured in the shooting incident in Bali.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” the spokesman said.

“DFAT is aware that three Australians have been detained and we are urgently seeking further information from local authorities.

“We stand ready to offer consular assistance to any Australian citizen, should it be requested.”

Bali police say investigators were still looking for the weapons used in the attack.

The investigative team is working with the Indonesian National Police’s Forensic Laboratory Centre, forensic medical experts and other specialists to process evidence from the crime scene.

Other than the bullet casings and sledgehammer, specialists are analysing blood samples, face coverings, motor vehicles, CCTV footage and travel history.

Originally published as Alleged Bali suspects’ plan to flee Indonesia