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THE HIGH-PROFILE trial of two Myanmar migrants charged with killing two British holidaymakers opened today on the holiday island of Koh Samui, in a grim case that has tarnished Thailand’s reputation as a tourist haven.
Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun have pleaded not guilty to the murder of 24-year-old David Miller and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, on the southern island of Koh Tao in September.
The two men, who have been in custody on neighbouring Koh Samui since October, arrived at court in a prison van with their feet shackled. They face several charges — including murder, rape and robbery — and if found guilty they could face the death penalty.
Family members of the two British backpackers were also present for the opening of the trial, as the prosecution remains marred by allegations of a bungled investigation.
The defence team claim the migrant workers, who both worked for low wages in the tourism trade, have been scapegoated by an under-pressure police force as the murders put Thai authorities in the international spotlight.
After the trial started Andy Hall, an activist for a migrants group helping to fund the pair’s case, told AFP the judge will decide whether the defence can independently test the controversial forensic evidence against their clients on Thursday.
“We feel confident he will allow it,” he said of tests the defence have been demanding for months in order for a “fair trial”.
‘Bright future ended’
The lifeless, battered bodies of Miller and Witheridge were discovered on a beach just a few hundred yards from the main tourist drag in Koh Tao, sending shockwaves across the beach-fringed idyll in the Gulf of Thailand popular with backpackers and divers.
Miller’s beaten body was found in shallow surf while Witheridge’s was located slightly further up the beach. Police say she was raped as well as beaten.
The families of both victims released statements early Wednesday confirming they would attend the trial’s opening at the imposing courthouse perched on a hill overlooking Samui’s lush palm trees and white beaches.
“Just hours before he died David was talking to us with his usual enthusiasm, describing the beauty of Koh Tao and the friendliness of the Thai people,” Miller’s family said in their statement, adding that they hoped to “gain a better understanding” of how the young Brit died.
“Hannah was a beautiful person, inside and out, she brought a room alive just being there,” the Witheridge family wrote in their statement.
“Her bright future was brutally ended leaving those who loved her broken with no answers.”
The pair’s defence team have long criticised the police investigation, claiming the crime scene was contaminated and that their clients were tortured into admitting guilt.
Both men retracted their initial confessions, saying they were coerced into making them.
the truth is that they probably were tortured. people will confess to anything under torture
This looks like a complete stich up. No justice for anyone here I fear.
Well done.. On the basis of a very short media article you have decided these men are innocent. No need for a proper trial.
They didn’t get a proper trial, that’s the problem.
There hasn’t been a trial yet.. Read the article before making foolish comments.
Probably on the basis of previous form of the Thai justice system, the defendants’ almost immediate claims that they were coerced, and the ludicrous spectacle of the defendants being forced to “reenact” the murders for international media
I lived on that island actually the cops are as bent a they come. so it is you that is jumping to a conclusion based on ignorance. Oh and the chances of these two getting a fair trail is very very slim unless amnisty get involved big time
Have you ever been there? Have you ever had the pleasure of dealing with any kind of legal issues in Asia..??? I am guessing g not…Jasus ignorance is bliss.
The Thai Authorities pin a lot of crimes on Burmese immigrants in the country to protect their image as a friendly tourist destination and they know that there will be little to no backlash as the Burmese know they can’t return home and the Thai people are happy for them to take the blame….
Justice in Thailand! Frame some poor person while the real killer is probably at large.
I genuinely feel they are being framed here..!!! God love the families involved. I hope justice is served
hang em high
No need for a trial, no?
Calling the murdered man a ‘Brit’ is an unfortunate choice of words as it’s used as a term of antipathy to our closest neighbors. I’m not not normally into PC but it does stand out. Would ‘Briton’ be more appropriate?
FFS… What stands out is the horrific nature of the crime
‘Britons’ regularly call themselves Brits, it’s short for ‘British citizen’, and it’s generally affectionate. Their national record industry awards are even called The BRITs! Just because it’s part of an old political slogan doesn’t make it equivalent to the N-word.
Meanwhile, back at the horrific murders and possibly dodgy upcoming trial…
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