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Bali Trial Opens for Three Australians Accused in Villa Killing

Prosecutors detailed an alleged planned ambush directed via an encrypted app by an unnamed Australian, with judges set to hear evidence next week.

Overview

  • Prosecutors read charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder and illegal weapons possession against Darcy Jenson, Paea I Middlemore Tupou and Coskun Mevlut, offenses that can carry the death penalty in Indonesia.
  • A three-judge panel is hearing the case without a jury, the defendants raised no objections to the indictment, and the court scheduled the evidentiary phase to continue on November 3.
  • The indictment alleges a fourth, unnamed Australian directed the operation via the encrypted app Threema and that Jenson arranged rentals and gear under those instructions.
  • Authorities say the attackers wore delivery-rider jackets and balaclavas, forced entry with a hammer, shot Zivan Radmanovic and wounded Sanar Ghanim with 9mm handguns, then discarded the weapons in a river.
  • Radmanovic’s wife, Jazmyn Gourdeas, attended the opening hearing in Denpasar and, through her lawyer, called for the maximum penalty.