Thai court sentences Myanmar men to death for murder of British backpackers

Results from the investigation would appear to show that semen of both men was found inside the British Witheridge, the court said in its ruling the evidence from the crime scene and the witnesses “confirmed without any doubt” what Htun and Lin had done.

But lawyers defending the accused argued DNA from a garden hoe – allegedly used as the murder weapon – did not match samples taken from the men. “They have shown no remorse during the trial”, said Mr Miller’s brother Michael. The worldwide non-governmental organization also said questionable DNA evidence that linked them to the crime was never analyzed in deep.

After Britain’s Foreign Office expressed concern to Thai authorities about the way the investigation was conducted, British police were allowed to observe the case assembled by their Thai counterparts.

“We hope that the Thai authorities will ensure the truth in a retrial that respects global human rights law and standards, so that the families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller get the justice and peace of mind they deserve”.

Myanmar police set up barriers in front of the Thai embassy before the protest started at 10 a.m. (0530GMT) Friday, creating a restricted area around the diplomatic mission.

Witheridge, from Hemsby in Norfolk, had been raped before she was killed while Miller, from Jersey, had been hit over the head before drowning in the sea.

Zarifi said Thursday’s verdict could be overruled on appeal.

Police eventually arrested and charged Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun, also known as Wai Phyo.

However, Mr Miller’s family said they had followed the trial closely and had concluded that the two men were guilty, despite having initial misgivings.

The family of Mr Miller attended the hearing but relatives of Miss Witheridge did not travel to Thailand for the verdicts.

The case hinges on DNA evidence that police and prosecutors say link the suspects to the crime but the defence says is flawed.

Andy Hall, global affairs adviser for Migrant Worker Rights Network, which represented the men, said: “We strongly disagree with the decision of the court”.

Around 2.5 million Burmese migrants work in the richer neighbouring country, many in the fishing and construction industries or as domestic helpers or cleaners in hotels and restaurants.

A statement from Witheridge’s family that was released after the verdict did not mention whether they thought the convictions were safe. Throughout the trial the defence disputed the forensic evidence and accused the police of torturing their clients into signing confessions, which they later retracted.

Police have been accused of obtaining confessions – eventually retracted – through torture.

A court in Thailand has convicted two Burmese nationals of murdering two British backpackers in September 2014.

According to the Thai Corrections Department there are 456 prisoners on death row in Thailand and the last execution was carried out in 2009.

The victim’s bodies were found on a Koh Tao island beach.