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Two charged with Thai beach murders

Thursday, 4 December 20143 min read

Two Burmese men have been charged with the murder of two British tourists on the Thai island of Koh Tao earlier this year.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21, deny killing Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on a beach on September 15.

The migrant workers, from Myanmar, also known as Burma, had earlier confessed to the murders but later retracted their confessions claiming they had been tortured.

The public prosecutor, who had returned the police dossier three times demanding better evidence, now says the case is solid.

As well as the alleged murders and rape, the pair are also accused of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to rape and robbery.

If found guilty, they could be executed.

Post-mortem examinations found Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey, had died from drowning and a blow to the head, while Miss Witheridge, 23, from Hemsby in Norfolk, died from head wounds.