Bangkok Erawan Shrine Bombing: Two Uyghur Men Sentenced to Death After Over 10 Years of Trial

(Central News Agency, correspondent Li Zongxian, Bangkok, 11th) The explosion at the Erawan Shrine in central Bangkok in 2015 was the deadliest bomb attack in Thailand in recent years. After more than a decade of legal proceedings, a Thai court ruled on the 11th, sentencing two Uyghur men to death.

According to reports from The Nation and other media, the court sentenced two Chinese-Uyghur men to death, finding them guilty of involvement in the 2015 Bangkok Erawan Shrine bombing that killed 20 people and injured over 100.

The trial of this case has lasted over ten years. The prosecution called more than 400 witnesses, while the defense presented over 45 witnesses. The case files amount to tens of thousands of pages, and the proceedings were delayed due to various procedural issues. Reports indicate that this case is considered one of the longest and most high-profile criminal cases in Thailand in recent years.

The court found the two defendants, Yusufu Mieraili and Bilal Mohammed, guilty of premeditated murder and attempted murder for placing a bomb at the Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist attraction in central Bangkok, in August 2015. Mieraili stated in court, "Thai justice is dead," and said he did not accept the verdict, claiming he had done nothing wrong.

The explosion killed 20 people and injured over 100, leaving the scene littered with motorcycle wreckage and charred debris. Many of the deceased were Chinese tourists. Investigations suggested the explosive device was likely placed in a backpack before detonation.

Defense lawyer Choochat Kanpai stated that the two defendants will appeal, as there are many aspects of the case that the court has not fully considered, including the treatment of the defendants during the proceedings.

Weeks before the Erawan Shrine bombing, the Thai government had repatriated 109 Uyghurs to China. Some analysts suggest the bombing may have been related to the repatriation, possibly as an act of retaliation. (Editor: Chen Huiping) 1150611