Men accused of murdering Zivan ‘Stipe’ Radmanovic ask to be removed from isolation at Bali’s Kerobokan jail
The accused gunmen — who could face the death penalty if found guilty — have made a special request to a Bali judge, as the victims of the gangland ambush have again not testified over the murder of Zivan Radmanovic.
The victims of a wild gangland ambush in Bali have for a third time not testified over the murder of Melbourne man Zivan “Stipe” Radmanovic.
Underworld figure and shooting victim Sanar Ghanim, who this masthead revealed has returned to Bali to inspect the luxury villa he leases where he and his three guests were attacked by masked gunmen on June 14, has previously told the court he has concerns for his safety.
His girlfriend, Daniella Gourdeas, who has also recently been in Bali and her sister, Jazmyn, the widow of Radmanovic, also did not attend at court on Monday.
Under Indonesian law, victims are not compelled to testify.
Daniella and Jazmyn Gourdeas are not accused of any wrongdoing.
Prosecutors told the court last week 34-year-old Ghanim had received a “threat”.
“He worries about his safety,” a prosecutor told the court.
Mother of six Jazmyn, who was also due to testify about the attack at the villa where she was meant to be celebrating her 30th birthday, has attended court but has not testified yet.
Jazmyn, her husband, Radmanovic and her sister, Daniella, had spent less than two days in Bali staying with Ghanim when they were confronted by two gunmen at his Munggu villa.
Sources say the raid was in retaliation over a dispute Ghanim was having with a crime syndicate based in Melbourne.
All three will be called again to testify next week.
The accused gunmen — Mevlut Coskun and Melbourne man Paea I Middlemore Tupou — are standing trial together.
The pair told the court on Monday they wanted to be removed from isolation inside Bali’s Kerobokan jail.
“We are in isolation judge,” Mr Coskun said.
“I don’t know what’s going on.
“How are we going to contact our lawyer? I don’t know.”
Mr Coskun and Mr Tupou’s lawyer was unable to make it to court, leaving the pair to argue for their release from isolation.
Alleged point man Darcy Jenson, a Sydney plumber, appeared in court shortly after his co-accused.
His hearing was also adjourned after several minutes due to the absence of witnesses.
Mr Jenson handed a letter to his lawyer to be sent to his family.
None of the accused answered questions from this masthead as they were escorted to and from the courtroom.
Mr Jenson has told police he was told via encrypted app Threema to hire cars and equipment by an Australian man.
The Australian contact has not been identified.
The three accused Australians are all charged with premeditated murder, murder and firearms offences.
If found guilty the trio could face the death penalty and be executed by firing squad.
They have not yet entered a plea to the charges.
Mr Coskun and Mr Tupou’s lawyer, Ricky Rajinder Singh, has previously said his clients had “not told me either way” how they would plead.
Mr Jenson’s lawyers said he believed he was helping a friend, without knowing the alleged murder would take place.
Mr Jenson arrived at court from Kerobokan jail in a different armoured van to his co-accused.
Radmanovic was bashed before being fatally shot while his mate, Ghanim, the former partner of Carl Williams’ step daughter, Danielle Stephens, was shot multiple times but escaped his attackers.
Ghanim has since kept a low profile.
Jazmyn and Daniella Gourdeas were not physically harmed during the ambush.
A tight security presence surrounds the Denpasar District Court including a guard at the courtroom door.
The trial will reconvene next Monday.
