Attack in Bali: Investigation of Possible Australian Involvement Underway

A Violent Incident

In Bali, an investigation is underway following a brutal attack at a villa. The victim, Sanar Ghanim, was shot and beaten, and remained hospitalized with bullet wounds and trauma. The police are exploring the possibility that the attackers were Australian.

Crime scene investigators recovered 17 shell casings from the site. Police stated that no guns or drugs were found in the villa. Jazmyn Gourdeas, the wife of Radmanovic, was present but did not recognize the perpetrators.

According to local reports, Gourdeas said she awoke to gunfire and her husband’s screams after falling asleep. She described the attackers as wearing bright orange jackets and dark black helmets.

Suspects and Motives

A police spokesperson, Ariasandy, stated that while the identities are not yet confirmed, witness accounts point towards Australian suspects due to the accents. Police do not believe robbery was the motive, as nothing was taken.

“We believed the motives were not robbery as nothing was missing or taken. We suspect it’s a targeted attack. Based on the wounds of the dead victim, two shots to the left chest, they wanted him dead,” Ariasandy said.

Australian Federal Police Involvement

The Indonesian police cannot request aid from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) until suspect identities are verified. This hinges on the AFP’s protocols for serious crimes.

Any cooperation from the AFP demands the scrutiny of a “Sensitive Investigations Oversight Board.” Additionally, the Home Affairs minister must approve the sharing of any information with Indonesian officials.

In Australia, the AFP follows strict guidelines concerning crimes with the death penalty, as premeditated murder in Indonesia carries this sentence. The AFP must consider the seriousness of the crime against the potential for a death sentence.

Historical Context

In a separate incident in 2014, Ghanim was involved in a case where he encouraged a friend to shoot a man. He was later sentenced to prison. Gun violence is rare in Indonesia. Police are looking into where the weapons used in the villa attack came from.

The number of homicides involving firearms in Australia has decreased in recent years; in 2023, there were 202 such cases, down from 245 in 2019 (Australian Bureau of Statistics).

The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on Ghanim’s health and the verification of the attackers. Police are still examining the weapons used in the attack. The nature of the guns is still under investigation.