Thailand’s Supreme Court rejects the final appeal of Win and Zaw

29 Aug 2019

Myat Win Kyaw/ DMG

29 August, Yangon

Thailand’s Supreme Court dismissed the final appeal of two Myanmar nationals, who were sentenced to death for murdering a British couple on the Thai holiday island of Koh Tao, on 29 August.

Win Zaw Tun and Zaw Lin faced seven charges including murder and rape charges regarding two British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller who were killed in September, 2014 in Koh Tao Island.

Then, they were convicted and sentenced to death by the Koh Samui court in Thailand in December, 2015.

They appealed at the appellate court that they did not commit the crime and the DNA found on the murder weapon did not match samples taken from the victims, and finally, they failed in their appeal against the death sentence at the Supreme Court and the court upheld the punishment sentenced by lower courts.

The Thailand Police Force, which has mishandled the case since they started constructing the case, is not able to show so far the solid evidence to Thai forensic experts, workers’ organizations, human rights groups, legal experts and those who are interested in the case.

The two Myanmar citizens have one last option, they will petition the Thai King for a royal pardon.