UK police to travel to Thailand to probe tourist murders
UK police have been cleared to travel to Thailand to
investigate the murders of British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David
Miller after the country's military ruler dropped his objections.
Miss Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, and 24-year-old Mr Miller,
from Jersey, were brutally murdered on the holiday island of Koh Tao in
September. Two men have been charged with their murders.
Police to examine DNA and duress claims in Thai case
British detectives travelling to investigate the backpacker murders
in Thailand are expected to focus on independent checks of DNA samples
central to the case against two Burmese men accused of the crime and
their claims to have been mistreated.
Diplomatic sources said Thailand's military ruler accepted the
sending of a delegation to investigate the killing of Hannah Witheridge
and David Miller when pressed on the issue by David Cameron during their
summit meeting.
Obviously it is for the Thai authorities to lead and carry out that
judicial process. But it is important that it is fair and transparent
and that both of the families can be reassured that it is the murderers
that have been brought to justice.
There are two areas we are particularly concerned about. One is the
verification of the DNA samples of the suspects, making sure there is
further independent verification. And the second is the investigation
into allegations of mistreatment of the suspects.
What the PM secured this morning was agreement from the Thai PM that we
can send some British police investigators to Kho Tao to work with the
Royal Thai Police on this.
– Diplomatic source
UK police to travel to Thailand to probe tourist murders
UK police have been cleared to travel to Thailand to investigate
the murders of British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller
after the country's military ruler dropped his objections.
The agreement came in a face-to-face discussion between Prime
Minister David Cameron and military ruler Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha at a
summit - the Asia Europe Meeting - in Italy amid international concern
about the way the case has been handled by the Thai authorities.
Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were discovered on a beach on Koh Tao last month.
Miss Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, and 24-year-old Mr
Miller, from Jersey, were brutally murdered on the holiday island of Koh
Tao in September.
Thai authorities have charged two bar workers with the murders of the
British backpackers amid allegations that the suspects made confessions
under duress.
