Monks protest outside Thai embassy in Yangon over death sentence ruling for Koh Tao murders
At least 50 protesters – mostly Buddhist monks – gathered briefly outside the Thai Embassy in Yangon on Monday to call for the abolition of the death penalty in Thailand.
The demonstration comes after a Thai Appeals Court recently endorsed the harsh penalty given to two Myanmar nationals found guilty of killing two British tourists on Koh Tao in southern Thailand in September 2014.
The protesters called for the release of Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun and urged HM the King of Thailand to help. They also said Myitta Thoke – Buddhist prayers for loving kindness – for the two men.
The group said they held the protest, because they strongly believed the two convicted Myanmar men were not the real murderers. They were innocent migrant workers intentionally charged to hide the real truth about the murder, a protester said.
The protesters said also they were not satisfied with the Myanmar government, as it had not been able to do anything to protect its citizens, a witness said.
The pair were convicted for the murder of David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, both British nationals who were visiting the island as tourists.
Earlier this month, the Appeals Court upheld death sentences given to the pair.
Foreign forensic experts have also criticised the Thai police’s handling of evidence in the case, while lobby groups in Thailand for migrant workers have also said they believe the two men are “scapegoats” for a crime that received huge publicity.
The case is now expected to go to the Supreme Court for a final review.