Convicted Burmese migrant workers appeal for reduction in sentence terms
The Burmese interpreter and Nakhon Chomphuchat,who has been assisting the convicted Burmese nationals since the beginning ofcourt procedures, recently visited Win and Zaw on 29 November in the jail.
Win and Zaw urged the lawyerto pursue the case, stated U Htoo Chit, executivedirector of theFoundation for Education and Development (FED) which is basedin Thailand. He has posted theinformation on his social media page.
"They have appealed to the lawyers to seeka reduction in their life sentence terms under theThai amnesty procedure," he added.
He also stated that both Win and Zaw have showngood health and mental strength.
Win is a resident of Kar Hpi Chaung village andZaw hails from Mi Chaung Yae Thauk village under Kyauk Phyu township.
After spending over nine years behind bars,they have made themselves comfortable with the surroundings. They can now speakThai language fluently.
Htoo Chit also mentionedthat both Win and Zaw hadrequested for anopportunity to meet their family members. However,they admitted that due to the currentpolitical situation in Myanmar, the family members may not be ableto reach Thailand.
The duo faced charges of murder, rape, andtheft in Koh Samui provincial court of Thailand. These charges are related tothe murder of two British nationals namely David Miller and Hannah Witheridgeat Koh Tao island in Surat Thani province of southern Thailand in September2014.
On 24 December 2015, the Koh Samui provincialcourt sentenced both of them to the death penalty for the murder. They werealso sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping Hannah Witheridge, two yearsfor theft, one and a half years for staying overnight, six months for illegallyentering Thailand, and another six months for illegally residing in thecountry.
On 14 August 2020, the Thai king grantedclemency and converted the death penalty to lifeimprisonment.
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