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Thai court to decide on trial for murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller | Thai court to decide on trial for murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller |
(35 minutes later) | |
A court is to decide whether two Burmese men will stand trial for the murder of two British tourists in Thailand earlier this year. | A court is to decide whether two Burmese men will stand trial for the murder of two British tourists in Thailand earlier this year. |
Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21, are accused of killing Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on the island of Koh Tao in September. | Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21, are accused of killing Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on the island of Koh Tao in September. |
Charges, including murder and rape, are expected to be filed against the men there on Thursday, authorities said. | Charges, including murder and rape, are expected to be filed against the men there on Thursday, authorities said. |
The suspects, both migrant workers, could be executed if found guilty. | The suspects, both migrant workers, could be executed if found guilty. |
This week a lawyer for the suspects, who deny the charges, urged friends of the victims to come forward with information. | This week a lawyer for the suspects, who deny the charges, urged friends of the victims to come forward with information. |
Nakhon Chompuchat said the victims' friends "should know many things" about what happened and could "prove the true situation". | Nakhon Chompuchat said the victims' friends "should know many things" about what happened and could "prove the true situation". |
On Tuesday, BBC south-east Asia correspondent Jonathan Head said prosecutors were ready to put the men on trial, two months after their arrest. | On Tuesday, BBC south-east Asia correspondent Jonathan Head said prosecutors were ready to put the men on trial, two months after their arrest. |
Under Thai law suspects can be held for a maximum of 91 days before facing formal charges. | Under Thai law suspects can be held for a maximum of 91 days before facing formal charges. |
"Despite the claim by the Thai police that they have built a perfect case against the two Burmese defendants, the prosecutor has rejected the police dossier several times, saying it needed improving," our correspondent said. | "Despite the claim by the Thai police that they have built a perfect case against the two Burmese defendants, the prosecutor has rejected the police dossier several times, saying it needed improving," our correspondent said. |
Thai police have been criticised for their handling of the case, and Mr Zaw's mother has said her son is being made a "scapegoat". | Thai police have been criticised for their handling of the case, and Mr Zaw's mother has said her son is being made a "scapegoat". |
As well as the alleged murders and rape, Mr Zaw and Mr Win are also accused of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to rape and robbery. | As well as the alleged murders and rape, Mr Zaw and Mr Win are also accused of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to rape and robbery. |
The suspects - from Myanmar, also known as Burma - confessed to the murders, which they later retracted, claiming they had been tortured. | |
The bodies of Miss Witheridge, 23, from Hemsby in Norfolk, and Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey, were found on a beach in the popular tourist destination on 15 September. | The bodies of Miss Witheridge, 23, from Hemsby in Norfolk, and Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey, were found on a beach in the popular tourist destination on 15 September. |
Post-mortem examinations found Mr Miller died from drowning and a blow to the head, while Miss Witheridge died from head wounds. | Post-mortem examinations found Mr Miller died from drowning and a blow to the head, while Miss Witheridge died from head wounds. |
Koh Tao | Koh Tao |