Men accused of bombing Bangkok shrine face military court

A Thai military court has opened the trial of two foreigners accused of bombing a popular shrine in the centre of Bangkok that killed 20 people and injured more than 120.
The defendants, two ethnic Uighurs of Chinese nationality, were driven straight into the military court building, preventing reporters from approaching them.


The bombing at the Erawan shrine, popular among Chinese and other tourists, on August 17 last yea, was one of the deadliest acts of violence in Thailand in decades. Fourteen of the dead were tourists.
Mieraili Yusufu and Bilal Mohammad, who is also known as Adem Karadag, have pleaded not guilty and at a recent pre-trial appearance they broke down in tears alleging mistreatment by Thai authorities.

They are the only two men in custody out of the 17 people that authorities say were responsible.
"Today is the first day for witness testimony. I think it (the trial) will last until next year. It will take quite some time," said Chuchart Kanpai, the lawyer for one of the defendants.