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Thailand tourist murders court procedure begins

Win Zaw Htun (L) and Zaw Lin in a jail cell Win Zaw Htun (pictured left) and Zaw Lin were arrested in early October

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Court proceedings have begun against two Burmese men charged with the murder of two British tourists in September on the island of Koh Tao in Thailand.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21, are accused of killing Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey.

Thai prosecutors say they have compiled a strong case against the defendants, who both deny killing the tourists.

The suspects, both migrant workers, could be executed if found guilty.

The bodies of Miss Witheridge and Mr Miller were found on a beach in the popular tourist destination on 15 September. Mr Miller died from drowning and a blow to the head, while Miss Witheridge died from head wounds.

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.

Brought forward The investigation has been marred by allegations of both police incompetence and of confessions extracted by torture, he said.
Hannah Witheridge and David Miller The bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found on a Thai beach
In October, the two men retracted the confessions they made following their arrest three months ago.

They claimed they only confessed after being beaten and threatened by police.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30602984?ocid=socialflow_twitter

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