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Bali Court Jails Two Australians for 16 Years in Villa Murder of Melbourne Father

The terms fell short of the 18 years prosecutors sought, with the family calling for a life sentence.

Australian nationals Paea I Middlemore Tupou, second right, and Mevlut Coskun, second left, who are on trial for the fatal shooting of an Australian tourist last year, consult with their lawyer during their sentencing hearing at the district Court, in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
FILE - Plain-clothed police officers are seen at a villa where a shooting that led to the death of an Australian man reportedly occurred, in Badung on the resort island of Bali, Indonesia, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo, File)
Australian national Darcy Jenson, center, who is on trial for the fatal shooting of an Australian tourist last year, arrives for his sentencing hearing at the district court, in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
Australian nationals Paea I Middlemore Tupou, foreground center and Mevlut Coskun, rear, who are on trial for the fatal shooting of an Australian tourist last year, arrive for their sentencing hearing at the district Court in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

Overview

  • Denpasar judges found Mevlut Coskun and Paea I Middlemore Tupou guilty of premeditated murder and unlawful firearm possession over the June 14 attack at Villa Casa Santisya.
  • The court heard the men said they were sent by an unnamed Australian to threaten Sanar Ghanim over a debt and that Tupou shot the victim after mistaking him for Ghanim.
  • A coroner reported Zivan Radmanovic sustained three gunshot entry wounds as well as blunt force trauma.
  • Judges said the killing heightened concern on Bali, where firearm-related violence is rare.
  • A third Australian, Darcy Jenson, is being tried separately over alleged logistics for the attack, with his verdict still pending.