Key facts
- A Thai court sentenced two Chinese Uyghur men, Yusufu Mieraili and Bilal Mohammad, to death for the 2015 Erawan shrine bombing.
- The 2015 bombing killed 20 people and injured over 120.
- The men were found guilty of murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of explosives.
- Both defendants denied the charges and intend to appeal the verdict.
- Human rights groups have raised concerns about due process and the lengthy trial.
A Thai court has convicted and sentenced to death two members of China’s Muslim Uyghur minority for a 2015 bombing at Bangkok's Erawan shrine that killed 20 people and injured more than 120. Yusufu Mieraili and Bilal Mohammad were arrested shortly after the Aug. 17, 2015, attack on the popular tourist destination.
The men faced charges including murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of explosives, with evidence including video and fingerprints linking them to the blast. Four judges presided over the ruling at Bangkok South Criminal Court, finding the defendants guilty due to overwhelming evidence.
Mieraili, who learned Thai during his detention, shouted his innocence and rejection of the ruling, stating he did not receive justice. His lawyer indicated an appeal would be filed, citing aspects of the case not fully considered. The trial faced repeated delays due to difficulties in finding suitable translators.
Human rights groups have criticized the trial's procedures and length. The International Federation for Human Rights submitted a petition to the United Nations in 2023, alleging numerous violations of human rights and due process. The defense lawyers also stated the men suffered mistreatment and torture after their arrests, though the judges found no evidence of coercion.
Authorities identified 17 suspects in connection with the bombing, apprehending three. Charges against a Thai woman were dropped in 2024. Police believe Mieraili detonated the bomb, which was allegedly left by Bilal. Some analysts suggest the bombing was retaliation by Uyghur separatists angered by Thailand's forced repatriation of Uyghurs to China in July 2015.