BURMESE INNOCENT OF MURDERS OF BRITS ON KOH TAO – SAYS BURMESE GOVERNMENT TEAM
Andrew Drummond
Dec 18, 2014
FINDINGS FLY IN THE FACE OF PRESS STATEMENTS BY PARENTS OF VICTIMS
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| From today’s Irrawaddy |
The Burmese migrant workers accused of the murders of Britons Hannah Witheridge and David Miller are innocent and should be acquitted of the murders if they face a fair trial – a Burmese government investigation team said today.
The Myanmar investigation had traced Burmese witnesses both on Koh Tao and in Rakhine state, Sagaing, and Tennasarim – but the ones in Burma were scared to return and the ones in Thailand were scared to testify for fear of their status in the country.
The findings of the investigations which was also assisted by the Thai National Human Rights Commission fly in the face of statements made by the families of Hannah and David which expressed confidence in the Thai Police investigation. The families were briefed by Scotland Yard officers and their statement was issued thrrough the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The Myanmar Government did not offer how the two defendants Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo could defend themselves without vital witnesses. They did however point out illegalities in the Thai police
investigation including the use of an unqualified interpreter.
“Cooperation from migrants living on Koh Tao is also weak,” said Htoo Chit, spokesman for the Burmese government team. They could be threatened. This is our main challenge. If a witness came forward who knew the events and testified, this case could be turned upside down.”
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