Two Burmese men accused of the murder of University of Leeds graduate David Miller and fellow backpacker Hannah Witheridge, have retracted their confessions.
The bodies of the two Brits were found on the 15 September, on the southern Thai island of Koh Tao.
Both Miller, 24, and Witheridge, 23, had suffered severe blows to the head, and a post-mortem examination later revealed that Witheridge had been raped.
Earlier last month it was announced that Burmese nationals Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21, had made full confessions after their DNA matched samples taken from Miss Witheridge’s body.
However, on Wednesday, legal representative Nakhon Chompuchat, who has been assigned to defend the accused, said: “They both retracted their confessions and have signed a document that was accepted by the public prosecutor.”
This latest twist, in an already complex case, has heaped more pressure onto the Thai police force, prompting Thailand’s human rights commission to launch an inquiry into allegations of police torture during the initial interrogation process.
Police deny the men were tortured during interrogation, however, with a human rights inquiry set to investigate, it is difficult to predict when charges will be make and when a trail can begin.
The body of David Miller, who graduated in June with a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering, was returned to his family three weeks ago, and a funeral was held several days later, near his home in Trinity, Jersey.