“I’m not an animal!” Bangkok bombing suspects claim innocence and beg for help as they’re led into court

These were the emotional scenes as two men suspected of carrying out a deadly bombing at a Bangkok shrine cried out “Help us,” as they were led into court today.

Yusufu Mieraili and Adem Karadag, ethnic Uyghur Muslims from China, are accused of plotting the blast that killed 20 people on August 17 at the Erawan Shrine.

More than 120 people were injured in the devastating attack at the site, which is popular with tourists.

Both men deny all charges against them.

Today, before being led into a Bangkok military court from a waiting prison van, they cried out for help.

Reuters

A stoney-faced Mieraili spoke into the camera as, in broken English, he said: “We’re innocent, help us, help us, where are the human rights?”

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Flanked by police officers, a younger-looking Karadag broke down in tears as he appeared to speak in a foreign language before crying out in English: “I’m not an animal, I’m human, I’m human.”

Officers then struggle to get him up the stairs as he battles against them.

Five of those who died were from China and two from Hong Kong.

Reuters

Analysts, diplomats and even some officials suspected the attack was linked to sympathisers of the Uyghur minority in western China angered by the Thai junta’s deportation of more than 100 Uighurs to China the previous month.

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But police ruled out “terrorism” and said the attack was retaliation for a crackdown on human-smuggling.

The suspects were in court on Tuesday for a review of witnesses.

Thai police have issued arrest warrants for 15 other people, eight of whom are thought to be either Turkish or in Turkey, according to the warrants and police statements.