AOn the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui, a murder trial began against the son of the famous Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, who allegedly killed a Colombian plastic surgeon and dismembered the body. On Tuesday morning, numerous media representatives traveled to the beginning of the trial from Spain, where Rodolfo Sancho is known for several TV series. The actor himself was also there to support his 29-year-old son Daniel Sancho Bronchalo.
“He's fine,” Rodolfo Sancho said when he arrived at the court. The actor did not want to answer more questions about his son. Sancho Bronchalo has been in custody in Thailand since August. Police say the 29-year-old chef confessed to killing 44-year-old plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga on Koh Pha Ngan, a neighboring island of Koh Samui.
Body parts found in the garbage dump
In court, Sancho Bronchalo only wants to admit that he hid Arrieta's body. In Thailand, this is punishable by up to one year in prison. If he is also found guilty of murdering the Colombian, he could face the death penalty. However, Arrieta's family had previously stated that they did not want to seek the death penalty for Sancho Bronchalo.
At the start of the trial, the family's lawyer, Juan Gonzalo Ospina Serrano, said he hoped the Thai justice system would be “strong so that the truth can be revealed”. Arrieta's family wants to “end this painful period in their lives and start grieving.”
Wants to support his son: Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho leaves the court of Koh Samui on April 9, 2024.
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Image: EPA
Sancho Bronchalo's lawyer, Apichart Srinual, confirmed that his client will appear in court. However, he did not want to answer more questions. The trial is expected to last until mid-May and numerous witnesses will be questioned.
According to Spanish media, Sancho Bronchalo and Arrieta met via Instagram in 2022. On July 31, 2022, Sancho Bronchalo traveled to Thailand to meet Arrieta there. In early August, police found body parts attributed to Arrieta at a landfill in Koh Pha Ngan.
According to local media, images from surveillance cameras show that Sancho Bronchalo and Arrieta were riding a motorcycle together shortly before the body parts were found. According to the police, the motive for the murder is unclear.