UK

Thailand trial starts of two accused of murdering British tourists

David Miller and Hannah Witheridge found dead on beach on Koh Tao in September

Handout file photos issued by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller. Photograph: PA
Handout file photos issued by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller. Photograph: PA
Fri Dec 26 2014 - 13:38

Britain Foreign Office says it is "closely" monitoring the trial of two Burmese men who have been charged in connection with the murder of two British tourists in Thailand.

Migrant workers Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin, both 21, deny killing David Miller (24) from Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge (23) from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

The Britons’ bodies were found dead on a beach on the island of Koh Tao on September 15th.

Two migrant workers who are accused of the killing of two British tourists Wai Phyo (left) and Zaw Lin (right) sit behind bars in a prisoner vehicle as they arrive for trial at a court. The two allegedly confessed to the crimes but have since recanted their statements, saying they confessed only because they were tortured. Photograph: EPA
Two migrant workers who are accused of the killing of two British tourists Wai Phyo (left) and Zaw Lin (right) sit behind bars in a prisoner vehicle as they arrive for trial at a court. The two allegedly confessed to the crimes but have since recanted their statements, saying they confessed only because they were tortured. Photograph: EPA

The trial had been scheduled to begin in February, but it has been brought forward unexpectedly.

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The two men retracted confessions initially made to police in October. They claimed they only confessed after being beaten and threatened by police.

At a hearing earlier this month Nakorn Chompoochart, the lawyer for the accused pair, said they had pleaded not guilty to several charges relating to the deaths.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We continue to monitor the case closely and expect the trial to be conducted in a fair and transparent way in line with international standards.

“The British government cannot interfere with Thailand’s judicial processes just as other government’s are unable to interfere in UK judicial processes.”

“We continue to provide support and assistance to both the families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.”

The BBC reports that according to previous court documents, both men have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, rape, criminal cover-up, illegally entering Thailand and staying in the country without permission.

PA