"We didn't do it," Koh Tao murder suspects now say (updated)
The Myanmar suspects accused of killing two British tourists on Koh Tao have formally retracted their confessions, lodging a petition with prosecutors with the help of lawyers. Meanwhile, their parents have arrived in Bangkok.
The Myanmar suspects accused of killing two British tourists on Koh Tao have formally retracted their confessions, lodging a petition with prosecutors with the help of lawyers. Meanwhile, their parents have arrived in Bangkok.
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Afternoon update
The parents of the two murder suspects arrived this morning and were quickly hurried through a large group of photogrpahers and photographers waiting for them. THITI WANNAMONTHA
The parents and relatives of the two Myanmar suspects arrived in Bangkok this morning, looking understandably distressed, both because of the allegations against their sons and the mass of reporters and photographers who greeted them. They were met by representatives from the Myanmar embassy, lawyers and local human rights representatives. There were then taken to the embassy to prepare for their trip to Surat Thani to see their sons.
Migrant rights activist Andy Hall said he showed photos of the parents’ arrival to the accused, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun. He said they were very happy that they would soon meet.
Ratsada Manurassada, from Lawyers Council of Thailand, hands in a petition seeking justice on behalf of the Koh Tao Myanmar suspects to prosecutor Paiboon Achawananthakhun on Tuesday. SUPAPONG CHAOLAN
Koh Tao suspects recant
Pair say cops tortured them into confessing
Paritta Wangkiat
Supapong Chaolan
The Myanmar suspects accused of killing two British tourists on Koh Tao have lodged a petition to prosecutors insisting they had nothing to do with the murders and were tortured into confessing.
The complaint was made after three lawyers from the Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT) met the two suspects at Koh Samui prison yesterday.
Migrant workers Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun were charged with the murder of David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, after their bodies were found on Koh Tao on Sept 15.
Surapong Kongchantuk, head of the LCT team sent to help the pair, said the suspects were adamant they were not involved with the murders during an hour and a half of talks through a translator.
“They said they were tortured and threatened by officials,” Mr Surapong said.
Win Zaw Htun (left) and Zaw Lin at the re-enactment of the murders on Koh Tao on October 3. TAWATCHAI KHEMGUMNERD
He said the LCT has lodged a petition with public prosecutors on behalf of the two suspects requesting fair treatment and asking that the indictment process be delayed. The petition also asks for the case to be re-investigated and calls on officials to seek character references from their relatives, friends and employers.
Rassada Manurassada, one of the lawyers who met the suspects, said the pair signed their names on the petition, which was translated into Thai to submit to prosecutors.
Mr Rassada said the suspects claim they were forced to confess to the murders and assaulted by a Myanmar translator provided by police. One of them said he was kicked in the chest. The lawyer said the suspects asked that their translator be changed, because they did not trust his record of their accounts to police.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairwoman Amara Pongsapich. APICHIT JINAKUL
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairwoman Amara Pongsapich yesterday met British ambassador Mark Kent to discuss the Koh Tao murder case.
She said the ambassador told her British police are expected to arrive in Thailand next week to observe the progress of the Thai investigation. They may cooperate with Thai police on some issues if requested.
She said the ambassador was glad the NHRC is also launching its own probe into the case. He said he hoped the British government will receive more information on the case, aside from what police have already disclosed, Ms Amara said.
Thawatchai Siangjaew, director-general of Office of Public Prosecution Region 8, said yesterday that police have submitted additional evidence to public prosecutors to support charges against the Myanmar suspects.
Prosecutors will decide whether to indict the suspects a few days after police submit all investigation material, he said.
The families of the suspects will arrive in Thailand today to visit the two men.
For our previous coverage which pretty much follows the case from the beginning, look here:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/434177/koh-tao-murders-frustration-grows
http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/433605/koh-tao-murders-still-big-news
http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/432493/tourists-murdered-on-koh-tao
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