Koh Tao murders: Medical exam to check suspects torture claim

[webfact]

KOH TAO SUSPECTS
Medical exam to check torture claim
THE NATION,
MYANMAR ELEVEN

Koh Tao suspects sent to hospital for examination to see if they were indeed tortured into confessing

BANGKOK: -- IN RESPONSE to reports that the two Myanmar suspects detained over the Koh Tao murders had been tortured into confessing, police yesterday sent them to Koh Samui hospital for detailed physical examinations.

Sources said medical examination should show whether the suspects' claims are true.

Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin Oo, both 21, told a team from the Lawyers' Council of Thailand on Tuesday that they had been tortured into confessing to crimes they did not commit. After spending six hours talking to the suspects via an interpreter, Thanu Akekachote, a lawyer from the team, revealed that the suspects had now decided to retract their confession and prove their innocence.

The two men are accused of murdering Britons David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on Koh Tao off Surat Thani last month and also sexually violating Witheridge.

The hideous crime made both local and foreign headlines, and after several weeks of investigation, police arrested the two migrant workers. However, many people are concerned that they are being made scapegoats.

"The suspects were initially confused by the many different groups of people contacting them. They did not know whom they should speak to," Thanu said, adding: "Now they trust us and have asked for our help."

Thai police, meanwhile, have been citing DNA results and saying they have strong evidence against the suspects.

Thanu said he did not feel any pressure in handling this case.

"This is the sort of work lawyers have to deal with anyway. I must say we feel relieved after talking to the suspects and we all trust each other," he said.

Myanmar National Human Rights Commission chairman Win Mra yesterday filed a formal request with the chief of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand saying the workers should not be subjected to torture or ill treatment.

Separately, relatives of the suspects arrived yesterday to "ask for justice", and told reporters that they believed the men were innocent.

"I've come here to ask for justice. I don't believe my son committed these crimes," Win Zaw's father Tun Tun Htike said. He was seen carrying His Majesty's photograph as he disembarked from the flight.

Representatives from the Myanmar Embassy as well as members of a labour protection committee met the relatives at the airport. They will head to Surat Thani province to meet with the two suspects soon.

Meanwhile, British Ambassador Mark Kent spoke to Thai Foreign Ministry officials yesterday about his country's plans to dispatch investigators to monitor the work on this case.

Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Thailand's judicial process was in line with international standards and no other country could intervene in it.

"But if anyone has concerns or doubts, they can ask questions or step in to observe," he said, adding that all suspects had the right to recant their confessions.

Paiboon Achavanuntakun, acting chief of Public Prosecutor Regional Office 8, said public prosecutors would look into the evidence available before deciding whether to arraign the two suspects.

"The bottom line is not what suspects say, it's the forensic evidence such as DNA results," he said.

He added that prosecutors would look into the petition filed by the suspects' lawyers, which mentions the alleged torture and forced confession.

"We will ensure justice to all sides," Paiboon said, adding that prosecutors had instructed investigators to gather more information on the case.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said both the Myanmar and British embassies had offered to help with the case.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Medical-exam-to-check-torture-claim-30246073.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-23

[Somtamnication]

Been almost a month!! No bruises left. What a farce!

[chooka]

Great wait for a month or more before having them examined and the report will say no bruising. Then you expect the world to gobble up this rubbish. You tools are still making yourselves look like idiots. In modern civilised countries interviews for serious crimes are conducted recorded visually. This protects both the accused and the investigator of allegations like cohesion, assaults etc and provides an accurate recording.

[englishoak]

"I've come here to ask for justice. I don't believe my son committed these crimes," Win Zaw's father Tun Tun Htike said. He was seen carrying His Majesty's photograph as he disembarked from the flight.

What a respectful and smart father that chap is..

. I hope he gets his wish

[dcutman]

How does one examine a person for suffocation?

[kurnell]

Thailand opening themselves to more ridicule. Even the most basic farmer, in deepest isaan knows the truth in this case, so who are they telling this ridiculous story for? The international press? The problem with stupid people is that they assume that everyone else is as stupid as they are.

[greenchair]

One month Later. Pathetic.

I would be more worried about the detailed examination they will be subjected to.

Maybe they need an examination after the examination.

[recycled]

"The bottom line is not what suspects say, it's the forensic evidence such as DNA results," he said. There is your verdict here and now 'GUILTY' The prosecutors don't give two hoots about all the conflicting and circumstantial evidence. These two lads have been well and truly stitched up by the BIB with a guiding hand from the PM down.

[Manbing]

“In Britain, not only must justice be done, it must be seen to be believed” G. K. Chesterton.

[toryboy1979]

Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Thailand's judicial process was in line with international standards and no other country could intervene in it.

"But if anyone has concerns or doubts, they can ask questions or step in to observe," he said, adding that all suspects had the right to recant their confessions.

Seems the good General and the British Prime Minister have different takes on why the British Polie are coming to Thailand. At Question Time in the House of Parliament yesterday, in answer to a question from a Labour Member of Parliament who was asking why the Prime Minister was willing to authorise the British police to travel to Thailand but was unwilling to help in the case of a British National who was murderd in Greece, the PM said that the British Police were travelling to Thailand to give technical assitance to the Thai police and that it been agreed when he was sitting near to the Thai Prime Minister last week in Milan.

If the British police are only allowed to observe then they might as well not come.

[chainarong]

This case just rolls on, you (RTP) should have handled this investigation properly in the first place, time heals everything , including bodies , you could be described as the most in-confident police force in the world and they would be correct, what a sorry sordid affair.

[ToddinChonburi]

Check for what ? a plastic bag over your head leaves no marks

[JOC]

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse!!

[Tatsujin]

This is a very simple one to clear up. Review the video recording of their "interview". Any gaps or pauses in the recording and then further questions should be raised.

That is assuming they did things the correct way and actually recorded anything rather than everyone relying on their "word" . . .

[boomerangutang]

What they should have done from day 1 is check for bruising/cuts on those WHO SHOULD BE PRIME SUSPECTS: the headman'[s family and friends. That was just one of many things Thai officials either didn't do or covered-up.

Since the moment the Burmese were arrested, everything the cops (and self-appointed PM) have done has been screaming FRAME-UP ! ....and it will continue....

[boomerangutang]

Thailand opening themselves to more ridicule. Even the most basic farmer, in deepest isaan knows the truth in this case, so who are they telling this ridiculous story for? The international press? The problem with stupid people is that they assume that everyone else is as stupid as they are.

Yes, and let me add: It's a paternalistic society. An elder man with status, should always be fully believed and treated with utmost respect. It's a 'do as I say, not as I do' society.

[AGareth2]

well it seems the cops have arrived

[SOTIRIOS]

...after so many days......???

...do they expect there to be ANY traces left.....???

....or....

...do they expect there to be NO traces left.....???

[Soutpeel]

Check for what ? a plastic bag over your head leaves no marks

Exactly more smoke and mirrors from the BIB, even if they were beaten a month on the bruises will have gone anyway....

Didn't on of the lawyers ? Or people who visited this pair claim to have photos of the bruising some time back

[Soutpeel]

This is a very simple one to clear up. Review the video recording of their "interview". Any gaps or pauses in the recording and then further questions should be raised.

That is assuming they did things the correct way and actually recorded anything rather than everyone relying on their "word" . . .

What video LOL

[Commerce]

"Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Thailand's judicial process was in line with international standards and no other country could intervene in it."

Pull the other one, and whilst you're at it ignoramus; pull in the real killers you and Lord knows who are protecting.

Other countries might well not be able to intervene, but they can sure place sanctions - idiot.

[jdinasia]

How does one examine a person for suffocation?

petechial hemorrhage of the conjunctiva.

[jdinasia]

Check for what ? a plastic bag over your head leaves no marks

Yes it does (often)

[Chupup]

OMG more ridiculous than a Thai opera, and they expect the world to swallow this crap

[h90]

This is a very simple one to clear up. Review the video recording of their "interview". Any gaps or pauses in the recording and then further questions should be raised.

That is assuming they did things the correct way and actually recorded anything rather than everyone relying on their "word" . . .

Well....if they have half a brain, they start the recording when everything is already agreed on.....if they make a video recording. I wouldn't be surprised if it is just a signature on a piece of paper in Thai language...where they agreed to have done every crime in Thailand of the last 20 years.

[pb1936]

“In Britain, not only must justice be done, it must be seen to be believed” G. K. Chesterton.

Not quite correct ! The full quotation is :

Lord Chief Justice Hewart in R v. Sussex Justices, ex parte McCarthy: “It is not merely of some importance, but is of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done”.

[Manbing]

“In Britain, not only must justice be done, it must be seen to be believed” G. K. Chesterton.

Not quite correct ! The full quotation is :

Lord Chief Justice Hewart in R v. Sussex Justices, ex parte McCarthy: “It is not merely of some importance, but is of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done”.

The quote I gave was by Chesterton not LCJ Hewart. You understand how people can make different comments on the same topic right?

[Manbing]

“In Britain, not only must justice be done, it must be seen to be believed” G. K. Chesterton.

Not quite correct ! The full quotation is :

Lord Chief Justice Hewart in R v. Sussex Justices, ex parte McCarthy: “It is not merely of some importance, but is of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done”.

There are surely worse things than being wrong, and being dull and pedantic are surely among them.

Mark Kac

[Ozziepat]

What, exactly, could British police "participate" in even if it were allowed. The investigation is closed, the evidence is "conclusive," and we can surmise the Brits will not be shown anything raising serious questions or allowing them to recommend new inquiries - nor will they be allowed to conduct an independent investigation. There has been plenty of time to sanitize all the evidence and paperwork, and this exam is just a loose end being tidied up. Don't neglect the possibility that the British government might have the same basic objectives as the Thai government in this case, and the police visit is just political theater (or theatre, if you prefer ).

[Mooner]

Check for what ? a plastic bag over your head leaves no marks

Yes it does (often)

After all this time?