Thailand confirms life sentence against Daniel Sancho for murder of Edwin Arrieta
The Phuket Court of Appeals rejected the defence appeal and upheld the maximum sentence against the Spanish man. The Colombian surgeon's family celebrated the ruling.
Thai justice upholds maximum sentence against Spanish man Daniel Sancho
Thailand's justice system confirmed on Friday a life sentence against Spanish man Daniel Sancho for the premeditated murder of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta, committed in August 2023 on the island of Koh Pha Ngan, according to reports from elcolombiano.com.
The Phuket Court of Appeals rejected the appeal submitted by Sancho's defence, which sought to have the trial repeated or a new hearing held with additional witnesses. The decision was announced in a closed session and forwarded to the Samui Provincial Court for reading before the authorised parties.
Arrieta's relatives, represented by Ospina Abogados, received the ruling with respect and emphasised that Thai justice upheld the criminal responsibility established against Sancho.
Beatriz Uriarte, managing partner of Ospina Abogados, declared to Europa Press: "We are pleased with the result of the work carried out in coordination with lawyers in Thailand". The lawyer also highlighted the joint efforts of the legal teams from Colombia, Thailand and Spain throughout the process.
The law firm stated that it would review the ruling, particularly its effects and the matters that remain pending within the proceedings.
The family made clear that it does not seek revenge. "No one seeks revenge and nothing can bring Edwin back to his family or repair the suffering caused," the firm stated, calling for recognition of the facts, assumption of responsibility and an apology.
During the trial, Sancho maintained that Arrieta died accidentally during an argument and claimed to have acted in self-defence. The investigation established, however, that the Colombian surgeon died with his throat cut and that his body was dismembered and distributed in different locations, including the sea.
Among the evidence presented were security camera images showing Sancho buying knives and other items before the crime, as well as testimonies and forensic analysis. The court concluded that there was premeditation, taking into account these prior purchases and the subsequent actions to conceal the body.
The case shocked Colombia because of the brutality with which the crime against the Colombian citizen was committed. The confirmation of the sentence keeps the life sentence against Sancho in force.
Source: Google News CO — Crime