KOH SAMUI, 8 July 2015 – The trial of the two men accused of the murder of two British tourists began yesterday in Koh Samui.
Two 22-year-old Myanmar nationals, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, were arrested two weeks after Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found brutally murdered on the beach on Koh Tao, on September 15, 2014.
The two claim that their subsequent confessions were made under duress.
The families of the British victims traveled to Koh Samui where the trial is being held, arriving on Wednesday. They have refused to comment on the case so far.
Attorneys for the two Myanmar suspects have asserted that there appears to be a discrepancy between DNA evidence held by Thai police and DNA samples tested by British police. Local authorities previously stated that forensic evidence, including DNA samples from cigarette butts found near the bodies, tied the men to the scene.
A verdict in the case is not expected before October.
