Bali police have identified four Australians they allege bashed a Perth grandfather and left him for dead at a bar, three weeks after the man lost his fight for life.
Paul Dougan, a British man who had been living in Australia, was holidaying with friends on the Indonesian island in August when he was confronted by a group of four strangers at the One Tribe Bar in Kuta.
He was repeatedly bashed and kicked before being rushed to hospital in a critical condition, where he underwent three surgeries and four blood transfusions.
Mr Dougan suffered internal bleeding and 10 broken ribs, had his spleen removed, and had drains placed in his lungs and abdomen. He died on August 20.
On Thursday, Bali police confirmed they were pursuing the arrest of four Australians, identified by the initials RGG, PAM, JRM and TRZ.
They said the group had flown back to Australia, prompting local officers to coordinate with Indonesia‘s international police division and Australian Federal Police.
Denpasar police hope Australian authorities will arrest the four men and return them to Bali, spokesman Gede Adi Saputra Jaya said.
‘We will coordinate across countries regarding the technical procedures for securing or bringing the suspects back to Indonesia, so they can face the legal consequences for what they allegedly did in our jurisdiction,’ he said.
Paul Dougan (pictured) was holidaying with friends in Bali in August when he was confronted by a group of four strangers who bashed him. He died 10 days in hospital
Bali police say they have identified four Australians they allege bashed the Perth grandfather
Gede Adi said there had been no confirmation of any arrests but that ‘official communication and coordination have been intensive’.
‘We have all of their identities… According to the latest information, they have returned to their country,’ he said.
‘Whether they are still there or have moved elsewhere, we will provide an update to the media later.’
The spokesman said the four suspects had been identified by the police and immigration from CCTV recordings and facial recognition technology.
‘Once we obtain the initial information, we will of course coordinate with immigration authorities regarding their data, including their movements, flight records and destinations, which we suspect may be connected to the perpetrators,’ he said.
He added the manhunt was ‘running smoothly’ and said Australian authorities were not slowing the process.
When contacted by the Daily Mail for comment, an AFP spokesperson said the police force is aware of an incident in Bali last month.
Mr Dougan’s family made the mercy dash from Perth to be by his side in Bali after the assault and set up a fundraiser after mounting medical bills exceeded $70,000.
Mr Dougan suffered internal bleeding and 10 broken ribs, had his spleen removed, and had drains placed in his lungs and abdomen following the attack
He had been at the One Tribe Bar in Kuta on the Indonesian island
‘Once his drains are removed, we are expecting it to be another two weeks before he can be assessed and cleared to fly home,’ his son Liam wrote.
But as donations and messages from well-wishers poured in, Mr Dougan, affectionately known as ‘Rabbit’, died after a 10-day fight for life in intensive care.
‘It wasn’t meant to be this way, Dad,’ Liam posted on the fundraiser.
‘I will love and remember you for the rest of my life and I will continue to make you proud.
‘I am shattered, lost, heartbroken and confused but grateful I ever got to call you my Dad.’
He also thanked everyone for their prayers, messages, donations and support.
‘Unfortunately today we had to undergo the hardest day of our family’s lives and say goodbye to Dad,’ he wrote.
‘I am heartbroken to type this message, I’m lost, confused but I wanted to update everyone who has shown support.’
Mr Dougan, affectionately known as ‘Rabbit’, sparked an outpouring of tributes
One friend told Nine News Perth: ‘To have this happen to him, of all people, is just devastating. He is not the kind of guy to go looking for that sort of trouble.
‘He’d grabbed his partner and said, “Let’s get out of here”. As he stood up he was confronted by a person that said, “What did you say?” and pretty much didn’t wait for an answer and just struck him.’
Mr Dougan’s son wrote: ‘They will be found and there will be justice. But none of this will bring Dad back.’
Back home, Mr Dougan’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes.
‘Paul was a much-loved father, grandfather and member of the wider Gosnells community, and his loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him,’ Gosnells Football Club posted on social media.
‘On behalf of everyone at the Gosnells Football Club, we extend our deepest condolences to Paul’s children and their partners, his grandchildren, family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
‘Our thoughts are with the entire Dougan family, and we hope they find strength and comfort in each other and in the love and support of those around them.’
