Amnesty Calls For Investigation Into Torture Allegations on Koh Tao

[Lite Beer]

Amnesty Calls For Investigation Into Torture Allegations on Koh Tao
By SAW YAN NAING & KYAW KHA

A group of Thai and Burmese lawyers, Burmese officials and rights activists talk to Burmese migrant Maung Maung in Koh Samui on Wednesday. (Photo: Min Oo)

BANGKOK: -- Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into allegations of torture and ill-treatment by Thai police during the investigation into the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao last month.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the London-based rights group called on Thai authorities to “ensure an independent and thorough investigation into mounting allegations of torture and other ill-treatment by the police, and respect the right to a fair trial” during the murder probe.

The statement came after reports that Thai police abused and threatened two Burmese migrant workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, who are suspected of murdering Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, on the island in the early hours of Sept. 15. The two suspects are currently being detained on Koh Samui.

Yesterday, The Irrawaddy reported that one of the migrants told Burmese lawyer Aung Myo Thant, who is part of a legal team sent by the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok to represent the accused, that he was beaten and threatened with electrocution after refusing to confess to the murders during a police interrogation.

“The pressure to be seen to be solving an appalling crime that has garnered considerable attention should not result in the violation of rights, including to a fair trial,” Richard Bennett, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Programme director, said. “All suspects should also be guaranteed their rights to a fair trial—which is of particular importance in a crime that could carry a death sentence.”

The British newspaper The Guardian also reported that photographic evidence, seen by the newspaper, of the alleged abuse of three other Burmese migrant workers who said they had been scalded with boiling water during a police interrogation, had been passed to the British ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent.

At a press conference in Bangkok on Tuesday, Thai police strongly denied accusations of torture or ill-treatment. “I confirm that there was no abuse of any of the suspects,” lead investigator Maj Gen Suwat Chaengyodsook was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post.

Meanwhile, the Burmese legal team sent to assist the accused and investigate other claims of abuses, said that Burmese migrants on Koh Tao were afraid to meet and talk openly with the group, while some had seemingly been prevented from doing so.

“When we arrived [on Koh Tao], we couldn’t call some migrants that we have regular contact with,” said Aung Myo Thant. “Some said Thai police [had] seized their phones.”

The lawyer added: “It seemed that all of the migrants we met were afraid to speak openly because local Thai authorities accompanied us. It seemed that they acted in accordance with what they were ordered.”

The legal team were able to meet with another Burmese migrant, Maung Maung, who Thai police claimed they were holding as a witness. However, the Director of the Myanmar Association in Thailand, Kyaw Thaung, who is also a member of the legal team, told The Irrawaddy that Maung Maung didn’t witness the murder as he had left his two friends, the accused, at around 1 am on Sept. 15 to go to bed.

“He said his friend [Win Zaw Htun] came back to his residence [on the morning of Sept. 15] and went to bed as usual,” said Kyaw Thaung. “He said his friends are not violent characters and doesn’t believe [that they are the killers].”

Source: http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/amnesty-calls-investigation-torture-allegations-koh-tao.html

--The Irrawaddy 2014-10-08

[kaobang]

they 'd better be careful or will be charged..

[MikePhuket1970]

"reported that photographic evidence, seen by the newspaper, of the alleged abuse of three other Burmese migrant workers who said they had been scalded with boiling water during a police interrogation, had been passed to the British ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent."

“I confirm that there was no abuse of any of the suspects,” lead investigator Maj Gen Suwat Chaengyodsook"

So if the photos will be published i can name the Maj Gen officially as a Liar ?

Furthermore there is no witness anymore:

"Maung Maung didn’t witness the murder"

The whole mess for the police getting uglier and uglier,somehow it makes me happy

[khunpa]

I am very glad to see this arrest falling apart for the police. Shows the real power of the internet and social media.

[mrtoad]

The BIB have dug themselves a massive hole, be interesting to see them try and dig out of this.

[JOC]

There went the "key-witness", so when are RTP going to admit they don't have a case?? (I know)

If I had any doubts before about the two accused being scapegoats, it is gone now!!

What an absolutely disgrace for not only the police-force, but for the whole country!!

And Mr Big is going to reward those corrupt liars and criminals??

[J Bradley]

The BIB have dug themselves a massive hole, be interesting to see them try and dig out of this.

The outcome of this will depend on the General's stance.

In my opinion, it's a wonderful opportunity for him to show he's sincere about wishing to stamp out police incompetence and corruption.

[Soutpeel]

The house of cards is getting ready to collapse me thinks

[mrtoad]

What will constable BJ have to say then?

[mrtoad]

The BIB have dug themselves a massive hole, be interesting to see them try and dig out of this.

The outcome of this will depend on the General's stance.

In my opinion, it's a wonderful opportunity for him to show he's sincere about wishing to stamp out police incompetence and corruption.

It almost looks like they are being served up on a platter, is there another plot being played out?

[MJP]

Where's Maung Maung? Does Maung Maung still have a pulse?

[khunpa]

The BIB have dug themselves a massive hole, be interesting to see them try and dig out of this.

The outcome of this will depend on the General's stance.

In my opinion, it's a wonderful opportunity for him to show he's sincere about wishing to stamp out police incompetence and corruption.

Only problem is that he already congratulated them for a perfect and well-done job. Now he will have a problem explaining that.

[chotthee]

"reported that photographic evidence, seen by the newspaper, of the alleged abuse of three other Burmese migrant workers who said they had been scalded with boiling water during a police interrogation, had been passed to the British ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent."

“I confirm that there was no abuse of any of the suspects,” lead investigator Maj Gen Suwat Chaengyodsook"

So if the photos will be published i can name the Maj Gen officially as a Liar ?

Furthermore there is no witness anymore:

"Maung Maung didn’t witness the murder"

The whole mess for the police getting uglier and uglier,somehow it makes me happy

Don't just type.

Upload the photos please.

[Costas2008]

They thought that they could pull the wool over every body's eyes.

But it doesn't work like that.

Not in this age and time.

Enough is enough, please uncover their lies and let true justice prevail.

[iReason]

Welcome Amnesty!

Shine a bright light on the corrupt thugs!

[iReason]

The BIB have dug themselves a massive hole, be interesting to see them try and dig out of this.

The outcome of this will depend on the General's stance.

In my opinion, it's a wonderful opportunity for him to show he's sincere about wishing to stamp out police incompetence and corruption.

Only problem is that he already congratulated them for a perfect and well-done job. Now he will have a problem explaining that.

And retract the promotions...

[Misterwhisper]

Day after day after day the unsavory circumstances surrounding this double murder turn into a deeper and deeper swamp for the RTP.

And we all know what happens if someone stumbles into a swamp, don't we? The more the trapped struggles and wriggles, the deeper they sink.

Yet still the RTP do what they've always done best: deny, deny, deny.

And if that doesn't work they threaten their critics with prosecution.

It's high time for them to come clean and admit that they have botched up the investigation big time and on multiple levels.

But then again, it's probably way too late to admit anything at this point when they are already over their head in the muck.

Edited October 8, 2014 by Misterwhisper

[MJP]

Day after day after day the unsavory circumstances surrounding this double murder turn into a deeper and deeper swamp for the RTP.

And we all know what happens if someone stumbles into a swamp, don't we? The more the trapped struggles and wriggles, the deeper they sink.

Yet still the RTP do what they've always done best: deny, deny, deny.

And if that doesn't work they threaten their critics with prosecution.

It's high time for them to come clean and admit that they have botched up the investigation big time and on multiple levels.

But then again, it's probably way too late to admit anything at this point when they are already over their head in the muck.

[changnaam]

Could this be the point where the tide is turning?

I really hope so.

I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow brings a new low......

[Dogmatix]

As the plaudits over for 'perfect job' done by police investigators as described by Prayuth and the police's exemplary professionalism in solving the case, as praised by British ambassador, Mark Kent keep rolling in, let's sum up where we are in the case.

Pol Gen Somyos said that the arrest of the two suspects namely Win and So Lin, both 21, was attributable to five reasons:

1) an eyewitness, a Myanmar migrant worker who implicated them;

2) their DNA samples match with the DNA found in the body of one of the tourists;

3) video footage showing the two suspects;

4) a smartphone of one of the victims found in the possession of the suspects;

5) and the confession of the suspects in the presence of their lawyers.

No. 1 seems to have just gone as the eyewitness, Maung Maung, who claims to have been beaten by police into testifying against his friends, has now says he didn't witness anything and doesn't believe his friends did it as they woke up the next day completely unmarked as if nothing had happened. That leaves 4 reasons.

No 3 the video looks quite inconclusive. Even if the man in the clips is one of the suspects, it is only circumstantial evidence and doesn't preclude the possibility that other killers could have gone to and from the crime scene without passing the security camera.

No 4, the smart phone. Police have offered conflicting information about this. First David's iphone was found intact and listed as part of the deceased personal, as shown in TV. Then the police chief said that Hannah's iphone was found smashed up near the Burmese hut but news vids showed it in the police station. Finally David's iphone was said to have been given by one of the supects to an unnamed friend, who smashed it up and left in a plastic bag near his friends' hut. This piece of evidence seems shaky and may be demolished soon.

No 5 the confession of the suspects in the presence of their lawyers. It seems that what he meant was the subsequent reiteration of their confession verbally in front of a Burmese and a Thai lawyer and Burmese embassy officials in the Samui court building. There has been no suggestion that any lawyers were present during the interrogation and confessions on Koh Tao or indeed that the suspects had appointed lawyers prior to giving power of attorney to the lawyers that the Burmese embassy brought to see them in Samui. If there is reasonable doubt that their confessions were extracted were extracted under torture, they would inadmissible in a Western court but are probably still OK in Thailand, if not retracted by the suspects. Given all the above the suspects lawyers must surely urge them strongly to retract the confessions.

That will leave reason no. 2 DNA. So far the DNA testing looks to have been rather patchy. The two suspect's DNA was tested earlier without a match. No DNA has been taken from inside the condom that had Hannah's DNA on the outside and a police spokesman said it might have been 'cleaned out'. The suspects DNA has been found on cigarette butts found where they were drinking and playing guitar but not on cigarettes found at the scene. David's DNA was not found on the hoe which was alleged to have been the murder weapon used on him in the confessions, not to mention the fact that his wounds looked inconsistent with the use of the hoe. No DNA samples have been taken from a Thai man who witnesses said was seen to leave the island on a speed boat shortly after the killings for fear of impinging on his human rights, despite the hundreds of Burmese forced to line up for involuntary testing. Would the DNA evidence stand up to verification from an overseas government authority?

Then there were none.

Edited October 8, 2014 by Dogmatix

[T_Dog]

Could this be the point where the tide is turning?

I really hope so.

I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow brings a new low......

We can hope. Desperate men do desperate things though.

[falangjim]

Some Thai chickens coming home to roost. The police deserve EVERY bit of criticism they are getting. Continue to pour it on…like scalding water.

[Bung]

So, did the police get their rewards from the boss yet? ?

[Boatman]

If the army generals now in charge of running the country are serious about cleaning up corruption, this case is a perfect opportunity to do something dramatic and meaningful. A gift from Buhdda.....

[Dogmatix]

A slightly different angle of the same group as in the OP pic is shown by Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB).

Who is that on the far left of the photo in between the policeman and the ex-witness?

OMG it is the trusty Rohingya police interpreter and legal scholar, Mr Banana Pancake, who is alleged to have participated in beating the suspects.

Edited October 8, 2014 by Dogmatix

[sweatalot]

The BIB have dug themselves a massive hole, be interesting to see them try and dig out of this.

would be more interesting to see them perish in that hole dug by themselves

[sweatalot]

The BIB have dug themselves a massive hole, be interesting to see them try and dig out of this.

The outcome of this will depend on the General's stance.

In my opinion, it's a wonderful opportunity for him to show he's sincere about wishing to stamp out police incompetence and corruption.

Only problem is that he already congratulated them for a perfect and well-done job. Now he will have a problem explaining that.

Easy to explain with misinformation - by the police, no loss of face

[Dogmatix]

If the army generals now in charge of running the country are serious about cleaning up corruption, this case is a perfect opportunity to do something dramatic and meaningful. A gift from Buhdda.....

True but how badly does he really want to wipe out corruption from the police (and the military)? Having control of the police may seem more interesting than cleaning it up once one is in the driving seat. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt. We'll see.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Welcome Amnesty!

Shine a bright light on the corrupt thugs!

Amnesty International are one big joke - why don't they get a real job rather than mess about when its none of their business. Go back to London as you are not wanted!!!

[kaobang]

Welcome Amnesty!

Shine a bright light on the corrupt thugs!

Amnesty International are one big joke - why don't they get a real job rather than mess about when its none of their business. Go back to London as you are not wanted!!!

if you dont want them they dont give a frunk..and me too