Family of Colombian doctor killed and dismembered in Thailand oppose death penalty for Daniel Sancho

The family of Daniel Sancho, who faces trial in Thailand after confessing to having murdered and dismembered his friend Edwin Arrieta on Koh Pha-ngan, released a statement Thursday expressing their regret over the death of the 44-year-old Colombian surgeon. They also asked for respect for the respective families and stated that they would not make any statements on the case. Colombia and Thailand. Fernando Oca, a Spanish lawyer at a Thai law firm, read the statement on behalf of the family of Sancho, the son of Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho. “We are very sorry to hear of Edwin’s passing and we accompany the family in their grief,” the lawyer said in a video.

Sancho, 29, who remains in custody on the island of Koh Samui on charges of premeditated murder, has been visited by a lawyer hired by the family, who works in the same office as Oca, Siam Royal International Law and Accounting Associates Co., Ltd. He was initially assisted by a public defender.

“We appreciate the interest of the press, but we cannot make any statements at this time in order not to interfere in the investigation and to respect the very painful moment that both families are experiencing in this terrible situation that has befallen us,” reads the brief statement.

Thai police are still gathering evidence against the Spaniard, while continuing to search the coastal area of Kho Pha-ngan, where Sancho admitted to disposing of parts of Arrieta’s dismembered body. Investigators have asked the courts to prosecute Sancho for premeditated murder, which in Thailand carries a possible sentence of death. However, Sancho’s confession and cooperation with the investigation suggest that he is seeking to escape capital punishment, although if found guilty he faces life imprisonment.

Investigators are searching Arrieta’s cell phone while also trying to clarify Sancho’s motivation for the crime. In addition, divers are looking for a blue duffel bag in which the Spaniard allegedly disposed of part of Arrieta’s body in the sea. Thai police have also reconstructed the series of events.

Meanwhile, the Colombian doctor’s family oppose a potential death penalty for Sancho, on the basis of religious beliefs, their lawyer said Wednesday. “We definitely do not want the death penalty because our family is very religious,” Miguel González, the family’s lawyer, told France Presse.

“It is not the right path. But we do want an exemplary penalty, including life imprisonment,” added González, who rejected Sancho’s possible extradition to Spain. “The case should be brought in Thailand because the evidence was collected there [...] and because that would give us greater guarantees. It would be an impartial state and there would be no interference from third parties.”

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAÍS USA Edition