Rights group calls for government support for Koh Tao murder suspects

02 October 2015
Rights group calls for government support for Koh Tao murder suspects
Photo: Andy Hall/Facebook

A special investigation team representing two Myanmar migrant workers on trial for murder in Thailand have called on the Myanmar government to exert diplomatic pressure on Thailand to prevent a miscarriage of justice, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported on 2 October.
The two Myanmar migrant workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun, are accused of killing two British tourists on the island of Koh Tao in September 2014.
The investigation team quoted testimony given by Porntip Rojanasunan, the forensics expert who found that the DNA of two Myanmar defendants does not match the DNA found on the murder weapon of the two British backpackers.
The team also pointed out that torture and intimidation are commonly used in Thai police investigations, quoting the testimony of several defence witnesses, including a representative of the National Human Rights Commission, a lawyer who interviewed the defendants and a fellow migrant worker.
The last hearings for the two Myanmar migrant workers, who are accused of the murder of David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, is slated for 10 and 11 October.
The verdict is expected to be announced within two months of the last hearing, according to the special investigation team.