Hacker collective Anonymous has released a 40-minute video accusing Thailand of scapegoating the Myanmar migrant workers convicted in the Koh Tao case.
The “hacktivist” group said it had looked into the case and discovered “some very ugly corruption involving the Royal Thai Police and their lack of skills and competency with professional investigating serious crimes”.
In the video posted on its Facebook page, the group said: “Anonymous has learned that the Thai police have accused innocent people before, and would rather blame foreigners or migrants for such crimes so as to protect their tourism industry then accuse their own Thai locals that may deter tourists from choosing Thailand as their holiday destination.”
Myanmar migrant workers Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun were found guilty on Dec. 24 of the murder of David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, whose battered bodies were found on a Koh Tao beach in September 2014.
The police investigation was mired in controversy, including allegations of incompetence, torture and mishandling of crucial DNA evidence.
The verdict sparked outrage in Myanmar, with hundreds protesting at the Thai embassy in Yangon and the Myanmar army chief urging a review.
In the video, Anonymous compares the Koh Tao case to other rape and murder investigations in Thailand, commenting on their similiarities, before discussing the Koh Tao murders and noting it does not believe the convicted men are the “actual culprits for this horrific crime”.
It then ends by warning “foreigners from preferring Thailand as their first option for a memorable holiday until such a time the Thai police make many changes in the way they handle rape and murder cases involving foreigners or migrants and show more respect to deceased victims,” adding that it supports a boycott of the country until changes are made.
Watch the video below:
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