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British police to return from Thailand in backpacker murder probe

British police who travelled to Thailand to review the investigation into the murders of backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller are due to return to the UK, having completed their work "as far as possible".

Metropolitan Police officers flew out to the Thai island of Koh Tao last month to work with the Royal Thai Police after an agreement between David Cameron and military ruler General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey, and 23-year-old Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, were found dead on a Koh Tao beach in September.

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British backpacker murder suspects 'retract confessions'

Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were discovered on a beach on Koh Tao last month.

Two Burmese bar workers accused of killing British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have withdrawn their confessions, according to their lawyers.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21, admitted the murders on the Thai island of Koh Tao last month.

But Thailand's National Human Rights Commission said it had found evidence the men had been beaten by police.

Campaigners claim Thai police often blame crimes on Burmese migrant workers and that their investigations cannot be trusted.

UK police have since travelled to the island to probe the circumstances of the deaths further.

Concerns have also been raised in Britain that the two men are innocent "scapegoats".

A petition signed by more than 100,000 people has been handed into Downing Street demanding a new independent investigation into the deaths.

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British police to return from Thailand in backpacker murder probe

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