Koh Tao evidence 'convincing'

Koh Tao evidence 'convincing'

The families of two Britons murdered on Koh Tao say the evidence against the two Myanmar migrants accused of the crime is convincing, in statements supportive of a much-criticised police investigation.

Migrant workers Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, also known as Win Zaw Htun, are accused of murdering 24-year-old David Miller and raping and murdering Hannah Witheridge, 23, on the diving resort of Koh Tao on Sept 15.

The defendants, both aged 21, are due to enter a plea in the trial starting tomorrow, according to prosecutors on Koh Samui where the case will be heard.

In statements released through Britain's Foreign Office, the victims' families said they had seen strong evidence against the suspects and expressed confidence in the case.

"There is a great deal of detail and vast areas of investigative work which has been shared with us," Witheridge's family said in a statement. "We would like to stress that as a family we are confident in the work that has been carried out into these atrocious crimes."

British detectives travelled to Thailand to review the police investigation into the murders and rights groups also raised concerns over the case after the two suspects retracted confessions they had made to the crime, and said they had been tortured.

On Friday the family of Miller criticised "increasing sensationalism of this story" and said that speculation should be suspended until all evidence is made public.

"The support for the Myanmar suspects has been strong and vocal, but please do not jump to conclusions until you have considered the evidence from both sides in full," Miller's family said.

"From what we have seen, the suspects have a difficult case to answer. The evidence against them appears to be powerful and convincing." AFP

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