Myanmar: Protest at Thai embassy after murder verdict
10:30, 25/12/2015, Friday
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Hundreds of Myanmar nationals protest Thai court's sentencing of 2 migrants to death for murder of 2 British tourists
Hundreds of people including monks and artists gathered Friday outside the Thai embassy in Yangon to protest a Thai court's sentencing of two Myanmar migrants to death for the murder of two British tourists.
Among the 500 people were those lifting signs saying “We ask for justice”, “Stop discrimination against Myanmar nationals” and “Free our citizens”, an Anadolu Agency correspondent at the scene reported.
Others held pictures of the two 22-year-olds, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, who were handed death sentences Thursday.
“We are here just to ask justice for our fellow countrymen,” said Khin Hlaing, a famous comedian who joined the protest. “The Thai nationals here don't need to worry about anything as we are just protesting the Thai government and the failure of the Thai judiciary system.”
On Thursday, the Samui Provincial Court found the two guilty for the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and the murder of David Miller, 24, on Koh Tao in September last year.
Since the two migrant workers were arrested in October last year, the case has drawn widespread criticism amid allegations of mishandling of DNA and police torture.