George Speight, the businessman who gained notoriety as the self-proclaimed leader of the 2000 coup, is a free man.
He was released from prison, along with former military officer Shane Stevens, after they were granted Presidential pardon by the Mercy Commission and officially discharged from the Fiji Corrections Service’s custody yesterday.
In 2002, Mr Speight was convicted of treason for leading the coup, and was serving a sentence of life imprisonment.
He had been imprisoned for 24 years, 1 month and 23 days, a total of 8820 days, both on Nukulau Island and at the Naboro Correction Facility.
A statement from the Mercy Commission said FCS provided positive reports on Mr Speight’s behaviour, and recommended a pardon.
Psychological and judicial assessments were also reviewed, with the FCS supporting his reintegration into society.
Others released yesterday included Sekina Vosavakatini, Nioni Tagici, James Sanjesh Goundar, Adi Livini Radininausori and John Miller.
According to a statement posted on the FCS Facebook page yesterday, the Mercy Commission deliberated on the applications before recommendations for mercy were made, and the President, acting under Section 119(5) of the Constitution, granted pardon to all of the named petitioners.
“These pardons were formally granted on 18 September 2024 and as a result, the named individuals have been officially discharged,” FCS said.
“However, in the case of James Sanjesh Goundar, who passed away on 6 September at the Minimum Corrections Center, the pardon, unfortunately, came too late for him.”
FCS said the government remained committed to the principles of justice, rehabilitation, and the rule of law, and the Mercy Commission plays a vital role in ensuring that petitions for clemency are considered carefully, with due regard to the circumstances of each case.
In December last year, those sentenced to prison with Mr Speight for the same crime were released after pardon was granted.
They included Naitasiri high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, Timoci Silatolu and Josefa Nata.
