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Bar workers face death penalty for Thailand backpacker murders

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Two Burmese men have been sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murders of two British tourists in Thailand.

The bodies of backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were discovered on a beach on Koh Tao island in September, 2014.

Two men, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, have been found guilty of murder despite retracting initial confessions. Their lawyers said they would appeal the verdict.

A court in Koh Samui heard that DNA evidence had linked the two bar workers, originally from Myanmar, to the crime.

However, defence lawyers and observers have raised concerns over the nature of the investigation, and claim other evidence should have resulted in a not guilty verdict.

Speaking outside court, Daivd Miller’s brother Michael said “justice is what has been delivered today”, and said Thai police had carried out a “methodical and thorough” investigation.

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