Two suspects deny premeditated murder of Russian siblings - Bangkok Post

Diana Nazimova, 22, and her brother Roman Nazimov, 17, came to Thailand from Russia in 2021 to live with their mother, who had settled to Pattaya three years earlier. They were last seen alive on July 26. (Photo: TV screen capture) CHON BURI - The two men accused of robbing, raping and killing two Russian siblings in Chonburi in July have pleaded guilty to most of the charges against them but denied the claim of premeditated murder at Pattaya Provincial Court on Friday. 

Thana "Pong" Kerdthong and Thongchai "Thong" (surname not given) face nine charges in Black Case No. Or. 1038/2569, filed by Pattaya public prosecutors. The charges follow the killing of Diana Nazimova, 22, and her brother Roman Nazimov, 17, whose bodies were hidden in tambon Huai Yai of Bang Lamung district.

Both men pleaded guilty to weapons and ammunition offences, impersonating a state official, illegal detention and conspiring to hide, move or destroy bodies to conceal cause of death. They also pleaded guilty to a night-time robbery causing death charge tied to how they posed as police in uniform to intercept their victims.

Both however, denied conspiring to commit premeditated murder. On the charge of rape at gunpoint of a victim unable to resist, resulting in death, Mr Thana denied the charge, while Mr Thongchai pleaded guilty.

Due to some of the charges remaining contested, the court ordered a rights protection hearing on Oct 20 at 9am, before it proceeds to the contested charges.

The court issued detention warrants for both and refused them temporary release, citing the severity of their potential penalties, the brazen nature of the offences and the prosecution's objection. It said there were grounds to believe they might flee, tamper with evidence or cause others harm.