Bali Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway following the shooting of two Australian nationals in Canggu on Saturday 14th June.
Police issued updated statements on Monday afternoon to clarify that no arrests have been made, despite a ‘miscommunication’ that suggested a suspect had been apprehended by the authorities.
Bali Police have issued updated statements after it was wrongly announced that the authorities had made an arrest in connection with Saturday night’s shooting.
The incident took place at a villa in Banjar Sedahan, Munggu Village, which is often referred to as being under the umbrella of the Canggu tourism zone.
Zivan Radmanovic, 32, known to most by his nickname Stipe, died at the scene, Sanar Ghanim, 35, was seriously injured during the shooting but has since been released from hospital.
In a press statement Bali Police Chief, Inspector General of Police Daniel Adityajaya, announced a shocking update on Monday afternoon. He told the media “I need to clarify my [initial] statement. After further communication with the Badung Police Chief, there is yet [to be] any arrest.”
He added “The team are now still chains the alleged perpetuator to an area outside Bali but still in Indonesia. We have identified the alleged perpetrator. We hope that he can be arrested as soon as possible.”
Witnesses have reported to the authorities and the media that the two attackers who ambushed the property in Canggu had Australian accents and arrived and departed from the scene by motorcycle.
Bali Police, who are investigating the crime scene, have revealed that they have recovered 17 bullet casings, 55 bullet fragments, and two intact projectiles. The attacker is reported to have entered the villa wearing a mask a black helmet and a green taxi driver jacket.
In initial media statements, Inspector Adityajaya reported, “The two (suspected) perpetrators had strong Australian accents,”
He added, “The witness saw through the gap in the door a man on a small automatic motorbike wearing a green online motorcycle taxi jacket, a dark helmet and wearing a mask or face covering with a thick Australian language or accent saying ‘I can’t start my bike.”
He further explained that both Radmanovic’s partner and Ghanim’s wife were on the property at the time of the attack though neither women were injured.
Ghanim and his partner are reported to have been living in Bali for an extended period of time. Radmanovic and his wife are reported to have arrived in Bali on Thursday for his wife’s birthday. The couple have six children. Sources in Australia have suggested that Radmanovic had also been residing in Bali for a number of months.
Both Ghanim and Radmanovic are both known to Australian law enforcement with Ghanim having served time in prison; Radmanovic had 175 court appearances on a range charges.
Speaking to the press on Monday afternoon Inspector Adityajaya confirmed that an active investigation remains underway and that Bali’s Regional Police are working in cooperation with Immigration and the Australian authorities.
Inspector Adityajaya “Until now [we are] still working to coordinate with immigration, Australian police, the forensic lab, and other stakeholders in efforts to disclose the case…remember this involves foreigners.”
Bali Senator Wayan Puspa Negara spoke to reporters regarding the incident and its impact on tourists visiting the island this high season. The local politician called for more security patrols to be deployed across tourism resorts for the foreseeable future to help ensure the safety of local residents and tourists.
Negara explained “Especially to the Bali Regional Police, I ask you to immediately reactivate the Tourism Police that had been on standby patrols every time at the destination before the COVID pandemic. Where the performance of Tourism Police is highly respected by tourists and other criminal [activity is kept] to a minimum.”
The incident is believed to be isolated, targeted and connected to organized crime.
Increased police presence will be visible to tourists in Canggu in the coming days as police continue to investigate the incident.
Tourists may also see an increased security presence in other resort areas in Badung Regency including Kuta, Seminyak, and Legian.
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