Holes in the Koh Tao case demand acquittal
The police have clearly failed to show that the two Myanmar suspects are guilty of the rape/murder of two Britons on Koh Tao. This has fed widespread concern that the suspects are scapegoats.
It is undisputed that:
– The prosecution’s key evidence against the suspects – DNA from the female victim’s body – has still not been shared with the defence for independent checking.
– The police lab that carried out the DNA test has a major conflict of interest in a case brought by the cops, and is not certified to meet the international standard for analysis.
– Section 134/1 of the Thai Criminal Code states that the accused must be informed of right to counsel before interrogation, and other any statement made is inadmissible in court. This invalidates the “confessions” produced by the prosecution. The defendants may well be guilty, but not on the basis of the evidence submitted.
Again, Thailand’s image as a country adhering to rule of law will be best served by showing that justice has been done on an individual basis. In this case, the defendants’ guilt has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt and they must be acquitted.
Burin Kantabutra
