Bali police say they have identified four Australians accused of attacking Perth grandfather Paul Dougan at a Kuta bar, three weeks after he died from his injuries.
Mr Dougan, a British man who had been living in Australia, was on holiday with friends in Bali in August when he was allegedly confronted by four strangers at the One Tribe Bar in Kuta.
Police allege he was repeatedly punched and kicked before being taken to hospital in a critical condition, where doctors performed three surgeries and gave him four blood transfusions.
He suffered internal bleeding and 10 broken ribs, had his spleen removed, and required drains in his lungs and abdomen. Mr Dougan died on August 20.
On Thursday, Bali police confirmed they were seeking the arrest of four Australians, identified only by the initials RGG, PAM, JRM and TRZ.
Authorities said the group had already returned to Australia, leading Bali officers to work with Indonesia’s international police division and the Australian Federal Police.
Denpasar police spokesman Gede Adi Saputra Jaya said investigators hoped Australian authorities would arrest the four men and send them back to Bali.
‘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 Our News Outlet for comment, an AFP spokesperson said the police force is aware of an incident in Bali last month.
‘The AFP can confirm it received a request for assistance from Indonesian authorities in relation to an incident in Bali, Indonesia, last month,’ they said.
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
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.
‘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.
Mr Dougan, affectionately known as ‘Rabbit’, sparked an outpouring of tributes
‘I am heartbroken to type this message, I’m lost, confused but I wanted to update everyone who has shown support.’
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.’
