KOH SAMUI, Thailand A Thai court sentenced two migrant workers from Myanmar to death on Thursday after finding them guilty of the 2014 murders of two British tourists on a holiday island.
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RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA Myanmar migrant workers, who are accused of the killing of two British tourists, Zaw Lin (r.) and Wai Phyo (l.) are escorted by a Thai police officer after they were sentenced to death.
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But sentencing on Wednesday, the judge ruled the DNA evidence used to connect the two men, both 22 years old, to the brutal rape and double murder was “up to worldwide standard”.
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The pair were also found guilty of raping Witheridge in a ruling that was welcomed by Miller’s family, who travelled to Thailand for the verdict.
Miller’s family declared they had doubts about the investigation but then they were overwhelmed when the evidence was found. Michael Miller, the brother of David Miller said justice had been delivered and affirmed the family respected the court and its decision completely.
Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin previously confessed to the murders of Witheridge and Miller, but later retracted their statements, saying they were “tortured” into making them.
He added that Thailand should address the defendants’ allegations of torture, which he said had not been properly investigated.
Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Court’s sentencing of the two defendants to death.
“We believe the result today represents justice for Hannah and David”. The pair’s defence team plans to appeal the judgment.
“The judicial process is not over yet, we have much to do such as discussing with respective persons from Thailand and appealing to the High Court”, Hmuu Zaw, manager of the President’s Office, posted on Facebook. “They have shown no remorse during the trial”.
The case hinges on DNA evidence that police and prosecutors say link the suspects to the crime but the defence says is flawed.
The family of Mr Miller attended the hearing but relatives of Miss Witheridge did not travel to Thailand for the verdicts. Police have denied the accusation.
Miss Witheridge, from Hemsby in Norfolk, had been raped before she was killed, while Mr Miller, from Jersey, had been hit over the head before drowning in the sea.
Since the two migrant workers were arrested in October past year after Thai police conducted blanket DNA testing across the island – focusing particularly on migrants – following weeks of pressure, the case has drawn widespread criticism amid allegations of mishandling of DNA and police torture.
“They repeated that the truth will come out in the appeal and that they are confident they’ll be released”.
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Thailand has not carried out executions since 2009, and while the authorities have committed to moving towards abolition of capital punishment during 2015 the number of offences punishable by the death penalty has actually increased recently.
