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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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Charity calls for probe into Thai suspects' torture claims

The accused men are paraded at a Thai police press conference. Credit: Reuters.

Amnesty International has called for an investigation into claims two men accused of killing British tourists in Thailand have been tortured by police.

The Burmese workers have been charged with the murder and rape of Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, and killing 24-year-old David Miller, from Jersey, on the Island of Koh Tao last month.

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

Last week, they were paraded by police at a news conference which included a re-enactment of the attacks on the beach where the Britons' bodies were found.

Now Amnesty International said a lawyer, from the Burmese embassy legal team who is acting for the accused, had been told by one of the men that officers had beaten him and "threatened him with electrocution".

The human rights charity has called for an investigation.

The Thai authorities must initiate an independent, effective and transparent investigation into mounting allegations of torture and other ill-treatment by police.

The pressure to be seen to be solving an appalling crime that has garnered considerable attention should not result in the violation of rights, including to a fair trial.

– Richard Bennett, Amnesty International.

Thai police deny the allegations.

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British police to return from Thailand in backpacker murder probe

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